After seeing the positive results of last year’s transfer activity, the Newcastle hierarchy will be convinced of the merits of their new transfer policy, and rightly so. With the likes of Hatem Ben Arfa and Yohan Cabaye flourishing in the EPL, Newcastle United will surely be looking across the channel for their summer additions. Here we highlight five targets from the French leagues that have been attracting interest from the Magpies.
Benjamin Corgnet
25-year-old Corgnet is currently plying his trade with Ligue 1 side FCO Dijon. Primarily an attacking midfielder, Corgnet is equally adept in central midfield. With 8 goals in 29 league appearances so far this season, the young Frenchman is considered one of the brightest stars at Dijon today.
According to Dijon head coach Patrice Carteron, Newcastle had a late bid turned down in January but the window apparently remains open for a move this summer. He stated, “We had a direct approach from Newcastle, but Benjamin wants to continue to grow and play the full season in Ligue 1… At the end of the season, he would be allowed to leave – Newcastle’s offer was very high.”
With Danny Guthrie’s contract running out at the end of the season it would seem like Corgnet would be a decent replacement. Personally I believe Guthrie is an invaluable player for Newcastle. He has ably deputised for both Cabaye and Tiote this season and given the performances of Jonjo Shelvey and Jay Spearing last week, Liverpool will surely be kicking themselves for letting him move to their Northern rivals.
[ad_pod id=’unruly-video’ align=’right’]
Mathieu Debuchy
Mathieu Debuchy is one of the most highly rated full backs in European football, which says a lot about the strides Newcastle United have taken in the last two seasons. Currently playing for title-winning side OSC Lille, Debuchy has been attracting interest from a number of Champions League clubs including Man Utd, Bayern Munich, and Valencia.
Newcastle are of course currently employing former team-mate of Debuchy’s, Yohan Cabaye. In fact it is this connection that seems to be swinging the transfer in favour of the Geordies. Cabaye and Debuchy are said to be close friends, as both had played for Lille since their teenage years. Interestingly enough, both players are also represented by the same agent which could really tip the balance were Newcastle to make an offer.
Cabaye is quoted as saying, “I told my friend Mathieu he should come here. He said he would love to come to England and Newcastle. He would like to come here!” Good news for Newcastle fans it would seem, and timely too. Danny Simpson’s contract is up at the end of the season and unlike Guthrie, it wouldn’t break too many Geordie hearts if he departed, especially if he were to be replaced by Debuchy.
Why not just employ the whole French national team bcause the way it’s going, we’ll have to move SJP to France.. lol
I hope we get Pieters in, seen him play & he’s class… wouldn’t mind another striker who won’t shoot of the ACoN along with Ba & Cisse, so a French or Dutch striker would be a plus, wonder if RVP would be willing to move north… only kidding, he’s too old… lol