OPINION
Newcastle United are in talks to sign Monaco winger Mehdi Zerkane, according to Get French Football News, and it could prove to be an inspired move from Rafa Benitez.
The 19-year-old has made 10 appearances for the French side’s reserve team in the UEFA Youth League this season, scoring twice and bagging one assist.
His current deal is set to expire at the end of the campaign, and it is understood that the Magpies are trying to convince him to make the switch to Tyneside.
Zerkane is a relative unknown, but you have to trust in Rafa Benitez in this kind of situation.
The youngster may be hardly proven at senior level, and Newcastle have definitely had their fingers burned with relatively unknown French signings before, but if Rafa believes that there is something there then the lad probably has some talent.
Zerkane has done well for Monaco’s youth sides, but with the French club in disarray, it’s easy to see why he could be tempted to walk away and try his luck somewhere else.
Certainly though, he comes from good pedigree. Monaco have one of the finest youth systems on the continent, and have produced a fine crop of bright young things in recent years.
You would hope that given some time and encouragement, Zerkane could go on to replicate some of that success, and there are few managers in the game who he would be better learning from than Benitez.
Not bad for a free transfer, if it comes off. This one could be a real coup.
