When a team few expected to challenge for the title are currently comfortably top with a goal difference of +24, scouts are going to take notice, which is probably why Burnley and Bournemouth, had scouts this weekend at Mouscron vs Genk.
The information comes from La Capitale in Belgium, relayed by Voetbalnieuws, who claim that both the Clarets and the Cherries were keeping an eye on the game, alongside scouts from all around Europe, including bigger clubs such as Arsenal.
While the Gunners were probably there for great prospects such as Sander Berge and Leandro Trossard, it seems more likely that both Sean Dyche and Eddie Howe are keener on players who can help their team straight away rather than down the line.
For Bournemouth, whose central midfielders have yet to produce an assist this season despite playing a rather expansive style of football, Ruslan Malinovskyi seems like the ideal signing.
Arriving from Shakhtar back in 2017, the Genk midfielder has already eclipsed his tally of seven goals and four assists in 42 games from last season in all competitions, with 10 and eight in 23 so far.
Useful on set pieces as well, the 25-year-old could be the kind of creative outlet Eddie Howe needs to help Bournemouth continue their solid start to the campaign, currently sitting sixth in the Premier League with 20 points from their first 12 games.
As for Burnley, the fact Ashley Barnes and Sam Vokes only have four goals between them this season has been an issue, meaning a new striker could be on the cards for Sean Dyche.
The obvious target here is Tanzania international Mbwana Samatta, who has 19 goals in 23 appearances in all competitions.
Able to find the back of the net with both feet and physical enough to prove a nuisance for defenders in the air, the 25-year-old is currently thriving under Philippe Clement at Genk, and is the kind of player who could certainly end up in the Premier League in the near future, perhaps even at Turf Moor where he would give Dyche a more mobile option up front than the likes of Chris Wood.
Just a couple of names to think about, and we’ll be keeping an eye on Belgium to see if these trips become more regular.
