10 Frenchmen that Newcastle Should Scout – Part 1

One thing that has become perfectly clear in the last couple of years is the fact that Mike Ashley has a penchant for a bargain and when it comes to transfers, the best he can get is in France.

Keeping that in mind and the fact that the January window is about to open I have compiled a list of players that Newcastle should scout. These are all in keeping with the implied Newcastle’s transfer policy (May be a slight deviation). These players are the ones that have previously not been linked with the Club and in my opinion will offer value for money to Newcastle United.

Remy Cabella – A 22 year old attacking midfielder currently plying his trade for Montpellier, Cabella has been described as someone who has exceptional technical ability. Even though the team is struggling, the lad is having an excellent season. He so far this season has scored 5 goals and has 3 assists in the 16 games he has played for the club. Remy is a French youth international having represented French under 21s 17 times scoring 4 goals in the process.

Wissam Ben Yedder – Ben Yedder is a 22 year old striker who is currently playing for Toulouse. One of the reasons why Toulouse made such a good start to the season was the form of Ben Yedder. This season Ben Yedder has been  prolific, and in 15 matches he has scored 9 goals and made 1 for his team mates. One thing going against the player is his attitude, he and several other French youth players were banned from French national side until June 2014 for an unauthorized night out while on under 21 national duty.

Eric Bautheac – Bautheac is a 25-year-old striker who is currently playing for Nice. Newcastle may be on a look out for a striker when Xisco moves on, with Shola Ameobi injury prone and Nile Ranger’s future at the club still unclear; a new striker is something which the club will have to think about. The numbers for Bautheac also stack up well this season. In 15 games that he has played for Nice he has scored 5 goals and has set up 4 goals.

Romain Hamouma – Romain is a 25-year-old attacking midfielder currently plying his trade for Saint-Etienne. So far this term Romain has scored 4 goals and has had 1 assist.  Apart from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang he has been one of the stand out performers. Given that Newcastle have been heavily reliant on strikers for their goals this season, some one like Romain would be a perfect fit for the club.

Mathieu-Philippe Peybernes – Peybernes is a 22 year old Central defender who is currently playing for Sochaux. He like many others in the list, is a French youth international and has represented France in Under 18s, 19s and 21s. Everyone knows defence has been one area where Newcastle have been stretched to the limits this and even last season. An added advantage with Peybernes is that he can also play in midfield too.

These are the first five in the list that we have compiled. We will be back with the second part of the list very soon.

What do you think? Can you give us any additional information on any of these players?