News broke today that Dimitri Payet , currently playing for FC Nantes Atlantique in Ligue 1, and one of the bright sparks of French football – is a Newcastle target.
While we have no idea if there is any truth to this – he looks an exciting player who has come through the ranks at Nantes – and would make a good addition to the youngsters presently at St. James’ Park.
Dimitri Payet of Nantes
The Frenchman has plenty of skills and trickery – allowing him to take on defenders at pace – similar to Manchester United starlet Cristiano Ronaldo.
Payet has played for the French under-21 team and has just turned 20 years old in March.
He is a speedy winger with tremendous skill on the ball – and at 5′ 7″, he is two footed and can play on either flank. Dimitri played 30 times for Nantes last season.
His great form and versatility has been vital for Nantes and the club and he has been one of Nantes’s best players in the 06/07 season – and is a candidate for their Player of the Season.
He was born March 29, 1987 in Réunion – same place as a certain Laurent Robert – as we recall.
A number of Premiership clubs, including Chelsea and ourselves are chasing the Nantes 20 year old whiz kid- but with the new buying power that Mike Ashley can give the club – we could probably be able to match Chelsea’s offer.
It is also reported Nantes are desperately trying to secure Payet to a three-year contract, but they may not be quick enough to ward off Premiership clubs like ourselves and Chelsea – who can offer him big wages.
We think Newcastle would be a better fit for him than Chelsea – because he’d get a game at Newcastle.
Comments?
12 comments so far
Ross G
May 25, 2007 at 5:32 PM
Comment #1YES YES YES
Chris
May 25, 2007 at 5:57 PM
Comment #2We defiantly need a young player who has the potential to become world class, all big teams do (ronaldo, manu, fabragas arsenal, it happend for gerrard at liverpool)
darren
May 25, 2007 at 7:25 PM
Comment #3Sounds gd if hes as good as people are saying then he should be a gd purchase especially if n’zog is off and duff is out for a while
JP from The Rock of Gibraltar
May 25, 2007 at 7:38 PM
Comment #4We already have N’Zogbia but the more the better.
Soren
May 25, 2007 at 9:23 PM
Comment #5This player sounds very interesting indeed. But if we get him, wouldn’t we have to clear out some players in midfield?
chuck harris
May 26, 2007 at 12:27 AM
Comment #6In the Chronicle just after Allardyce was appointed Alan Oliver reported that he was after an unnamed french talent at Bolton, and would try and bring him to Newcastle. This is probably the fella.
paul
May 26, 2007 at 10:40 AM
Comment #7We have to be careful. Hugo Viana was supposed to be the next bright young thing and he didnt live up to expectation. Payet may look a good player but can he cut the mustard in the top league?
Ed Harrison
May 26, 2007 at 11:45 AM
Comment #8paul – always true of a youngster – you just never know
Phil
May 26, 2007 at 12:55 PM
Comment #9Well if he looks special, it’s worth a try now, especially if the big guns are after him as well. It’s always hit and miss with young players, no-one could say for sure if he will be a success in the utterly demanding Prem. But well worth a pop. If all else fails, he could go on loan somewhere.
Daniele
May 26, 2007 at 1:10 PM
Comment #10Why do we even bother with these young prodigies? Don’t we have a proven track record as a club to destroy young foreign talent? The saddest thing is, is even if we did buy the kid, we wouldn’t play a system to play to his strengths and of our best players. It’s been the same style since Keegan left. Only Sir Bobby tried to change it and nearly succeeded too. It seems a wasted venture to me. But I’m a converted pessimist after supporting the boy’s for donkey’s years now.
Ed Harrison
May 26, 2007 at 2:17 PM
Comment #11Phil – if he really is available for ₤4M – it would be worth it – but hope other clubs involved will not drive the price up.
matt w
Jun 10, 2007 at 11:54 AM
Comment #12no need to clear room for a young, lightning quick, skillful player… our squad isnt tht big, we need this sort of potential to have a mix of experience and flair in the team. (goin by what iv heard of him, never seen him play myself so you can ignor ethis comment if youd like) lol