Three English clubs sent their scouts to watch the Europa League contest between Rosenborg and Real Sociedad on Thursday night.

According to various reports in the Scandinavian media, including Aftenposten, Arsenal, Fulham and Aston Villa spies were among the 18,307 spectators at Lerkendal Stadion.

Nigerian striker Samuel Adegbenro, who has been labelled the Norwegian League's Neymar, started and went the distance for the Norwegian champions and the scouts will have a glowing report about the former Kwara United whizkid even though he did not register his name on the score-sheet.

Arsenal are among the favourites to win this season's Europa League and this is not the first time they have visited the Lerkendal Stadion (Trondheim) this month as one of their scouts had watched Rosenborg take on Zenit St Petersburg.

Adegbenro has contributed to 37 goals (22 goals, 15 assists) cumulatively for RBK and Viking since his arrival in Norway in 2015.

The 21-year-old is under contract with Rosenborg until the end of the 2021 season.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel