The gossip papers may take regular swipes at Newcastle United and Kevin Keegan, but it seems to us lots of players wax lyrical about Kevin and the Tyneside club.
PSG’s Amara Diane - would love to play for Newcastle United
One player in that category is one of our targets Amara Diane.
Sky Sports is today reporting that Paris Saint Germain star Amara Diane says he would jump at the chance to join Newcastle United.
The Ivory Coast star has been checked out personally by Kevin Keegan last Saturday night, and he may well be a target for the club.
The 25-year-old forward talked to Sky Sports today:
“Kevin Keegan is a dream coach, his team always plays offensive football and playing in England would be a great opportunity,”
“I know there is some contact between the two clubs and if an agreement is reached, I will go to Newcastle.”
“To play with Michael Owen would be great and there is also Obafemi Martins who is a top striker.”
“The Premier League is attractive and some of my Ivorian friends are there so I would be in good company.”
It’s nice to hear that from our targets - and don’t believe all you hear about players not wanting to come to bonny Newcastle and play for Kevin Keegan.
Amara has played 44 times for PSG since 2006 and scored 7 goals.
Diane is thought to be one of the hottest prospects in Ivory Coast football, and has been dubbed ‘The New Drogba’.
Comments welcome.
75 responses so far ↓
1 Mehzeb // May 14, 2008 at 10:42
Diane would be a quality signing, and I reckon we could actually land him on the cheap. Probably something in the region of 2m.
2 Ant (Smith's a smoggy) // May 14, 2008 at 10:43
Fantastic news. Sign him up. Even if he’s not going to be world-class, if he’s offering commitment as well as skill(had to add that before someone mentioned Alan “The headless chicken” Smith)
Says he would love to play with Owen and Oba?
Sounds perfect! His club can’t demand too high a price on a man dreaming of the toon either.
A man who loves the toon is a man I want in my team.
3 Mehzeb // May 14, 2008 at 10:44
Plus, it’s about time we signed a player who really wanted to be here, and was not enticed by overpriced paychecks.
4 Leo // May 14, 2008 at 10:47
7 goals in 44 games for a 25 year old… sounds great *sarcasm*
5 KKK // May 14, 2008 at 10:54
Is this guy a striker or a winger? I’m agreeing with leo, 7 goals in 44 games for a striker isn’t great. Is this really the “quality” signing Keegan is after?
6 liamtoonbirchy // May 14, 2008 at 10:54
gomis was dubbed the new drogba not diane
7 dougnufc // May 14, 2008 at 10:55
sign him and derdiyok up
8 Thomas // May 14, 2008 at 10:55
I came across that stat too Leo.. Not very inspiring eh
9 Kash2 // May 14, 2008 at 10:58
Derdiyok looks a good player!!!!
10 Mehzeb // May 14, 2008 at 11:01
Derdiyok is exciting, Diane is someone Owen and Oba can feed off of.
11 Geordie Gerrard7 // May 14, 2008 at 11:04
diane is lightning quick, and also has a good footballing brain, so is it true that we are in late stage talks with gomis?
12 liamtoonbirchy // May 14, 2008 at 11:04
sign dunne, campbell, shorey, muamba, veloso, SWP, mcfadden, gomis/ashton
13 Bill F // May 14, 2008 at 11:06
From what I have seen of the French league he has not struck me as an outstanding player. I think Cisse would be better and I also rate Feindouno highly, he is the unsung hero of St. Ettiene.
14 Geordie Gerrard7 // May 14, 2008 at 11:09
Strasbourg’s Amara Diane claims that Lyon, Paris Saint Germain and Marseille are all interested in signing him.
The Ivory Coast hit-man has bagged nine goals in his first season with Strasbourg.
The 22-year-old is already likened to his idol Didier Drogba and it seems France’s big guns are hot on his trail.
so ed- you were right, he has been dubbed the new drogba
15 Nick C // May 14, 2008 at 11:11
I think we need Tom Toon on the case!
16 Hamas (51times) // May 14, 2008 at 11:25
I like that he wants to play for us, but his goal record isn’t great. Am I right in thinking that maybe he is more of a support striker?
17 HeronMag // May 14, 2008 at 11:30
I’ve heard it was 9 goals in 24 starts (13 sub)
18 Kash2 // May 14, 2008 at 11:32
I’v elooked at his scoring record and it sounds quite impressive. It seems like he’s been a sub a fair few times for PSG, but considering they’ve been struggling for a while now and the nature of the French league, I think he’s done a decent job! Could be a surprise package, and i’d rather pay £3m for him than £15m for Gomis!
19 bailey // May 14, 2008 at 11:37
Where on earth does all this “alleged” information come from for goodness sake.
Wait until KK/NUFC make concrete announcements.
Unfortunately for me I am an anorak as far as this site is concerned but a pinch of salt is always needed before logging on.
20 Eric // May 14, 2008 at 11:57
Get him. Seen a little on YouTube. Reminds me of Obafemi. Quick and determined with skill. And he likes us - bloody marvellous that. It seems Bruce wants to grab Kapo. What a choice Wigan or Newcastle. He will be African Nations cup though. No matter KK will have a squad that can cope with that.
21 Hamas (51times) // May 14, 2008 at 12:03
I don’t think Diane is a regular with the Ivory Coast, and Kapo is French.
22 Nathan // May 14, 2008 at 12:04
His Goals : Game ratio is absoluely pathetic, especially for the French league where the defending is abismal (remember Rozehnal and Cacapa looked good in France) He would be a poor signing, anyone who thinks otherwise through so called ‘proof’ on youtube is just kidding themselves. Do you remember all the Luque youtube videos? He looked like Jesus reborn to play football, he comes here and he can barely kick a ball.
23 Ant (Smith's a smoggy) // May 14, 2008 at 12:05
Bailey, this site is completely open and many different people come in and comment.
There are of course things which will not be tolerated, not by the users of this site but by any Newcastle fan.
1. Positives about Alan Smith, how do we know he works hard in training?
2. Serious pessimism
3. Lack of ambition
Steer clear of these and every true toon fan should, and in the case of this site, will respect your opinion. Whether they agree with it is another issue, but they will certainly accept it.
24 Robert from Serbia // May 14, 2008 at 12:07
Amara Diane is a defender !!!!
25 Fred // May 14, 2008 at 12:09
We should sign Kim Kallstrom from Lyon
26 Nathan // May 14, 2008 at 12:13
He is a Forward…
27 Hamas (51times) // May 14, 2008 at 12:19
Eh he’s a good dribbler and has pace, good backup so I wouldn’t mind him coming.
28 faustino // May 14, 2008 at 12:22
On the stats you’d hope, as I beleive, he’s plays in behind a front two and not as a striker at all.
However, a quick look into this kid will show you that he isn’t backwards in coming forwards concerning the Press and transfers; so it’s ‘a pinche a sel [sic]‘ time. Had a quite alot to say about himself prior to the PSG move.
29 Carsoninho // May 14, 2008 at 12:25
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IiqjTp7wmE&feature=related
Looks like a quick, messy dribbler. Too similar to Martins
30 Bob // May 14, 2008 at 12:39
Is he 22 or 25?
Also, the least goals are scored in the French league so I doubt that the defenders are “terrible”, especially as France produces some great attacking players. It’s more likely the style of the French game that leads to a low number of goals.
31 geordie nick // May 14, 2008 at 12:44
if he is a striker then his goal ration is very poor
32 ELFER // May 14, 2008 at 12:52
Saw him on youtube (best of 2006/07) and I must say I wasn’t that impressed…seems to be fast and technically versatile, but also looses often chances…by the way do not know his goal scoring record, but he’s no wehere near mighty DROGBA, sorry no chance.
GOMIS is more like what we need! A big powerful striker who can keep possesion (replacement for DUKE).
33 TER // May 14, 2008 at 12:57
Would rather have Gomis. Again, we are talking about a player who has played for a shite team vs. players in good form playing for good teams.
34 dougnufc // May 14, 2008 at 13:05
He started 27 times this season and scored 13 goals
35 geordie nick // May 14, 2008 at 13:09
he has played 70 times for psg and scored 14 goals, very poor record in my opinion
36 irish_al // May 14, 2008 at 13:12
the psg game was against st etienne so they might of been watching gomis rather than psg players, diane is 25, the quote stating he was 22 was an old one when he was at strasbourg, he’s scored a goal every 269 minutes in league on so we are looking at an average of one goal in 3 games, the drogba comparison is labelled on loads of players and can not but taken to mean much in itself
my assessment is he probably hasnt progressed as they would have expected in the last few years
i prefer the look of gomis
37 Tom_Toon // May 14, 2008 at 13:13
Average to good player. Hes a winger/striker but also can play am. Hes better than Smith ill give you that. Id take him for a knockdown price at 2 mil to be a good impact player from the bench.
38 Hammy // May 14, 2008 at 13:19
Tom Toon for Denis Wise’s job…….
39 Tom_Toon // May 14, 2008 at 13:21
Dennis Wise is telling Poyet all our targets, the bloody midget.
40 Geordie Gerrard7 // May 14, 2008 at 13:30
he must be the little wonky eyed bastard, bout time he started showing us these signings he is been paid millions to go scout,
41 Macas // May 14, 2008 at 13:41
Why is everyone getting excited over Gomis? Every time we have scouted him there is always a comment saying he didnt have the best of games, has happened about 4 times now!
42 Steve // May 14, 2008 at 13:44
I was reading a match report from the PSG game Kevin attended. Apparently this boy starred and Gomis had an average match. You never know, we could be making a move on both players…
43 JP from The Rock of Gibraltar // May 14, 2008 at 13:51
You can tell that Gomis is class. Some of the goals i have seen from him in you-tube are incredibly difficult and it was more than once so it wasn’t a fluke. He is also very strong and looks very similar to Drogba in every aspect. Would love it if we could land him. Diane looks good too not as much as Gomis but I am still impressed by his pace and strength. If he is a winger/ striker and can play in a AM role like Tom Toon says then I am up for that also! We need quality and he could easily replace Smith and feed Owen and co with lots of golden opportunities, besides he has even told Sky Sports that he would love to play for Keegan!!
44 Geordie Gerrard7 // May 14, 2008 at 13:55
macas, this is because he is such a strong player with an eye for goal, but i just hope we do get him. get rid of peroxide smith, also shola bring in gomis.
also it looks like n’zogbia would be shipped out no matter what now as he and faye, were fighting, it supposivley got very heated and were some bad things said
45 Hamas (51times) // May 14, 2008 at 13:56
I would like Gomis but f*ck paying £18m for him.
46 alex // May 14, 2008 at 13:58
i don’t think he’s a striker by his goals to games ratio at psg. if we can get him for less than 6 milion i think he’d be a good squad player and replacement for shola
47 iain // May 14, 2008 at 14:35
its this simple he better than shola and smith and better value for money and he wants to play for us.
cant see whats wrong with signing him, as long as we sign a top quality targetman as a long term replacement for viduka whether that be gomis/crouch/ashton or someone else.
48 ScottyT // May 14, 2008 at 14:46
he hasnt scored scored enough goals for a forward. dont want another striker who cant score (smith).
crouch or ashton may be more expensive but much better quality. maybes crouch the better option due to ashtons injuries.
49 chuck // May 14, 2008 at 14:54
I`m confused! Is Diane a striker, a winger, or a defensive player? Hope its the latter, because seven goals in forty four games aint a lot for a forward (unless you are Alan Smith)
Also heard both he and Gomis compare or are the new Drogba’s, guess that must be the new selling standard.
Dunno! seems everyone has an opinion about players they have never watched , we will see!
50 ScottyT // May 14, 2008 at 14:58
ive never seen him apart from africa cup of nations but his scoring record if he is a striker just isnt good enough and not what we should be going for.
51 Tom_Toon // May 14, 2008 at 15:02
He wasnt even in their squad for the african nations i dont think.
52 Bill F // May 14, 2008 at 15:05
Bloo*y french football didn’t record last night all I got was hours of tedious basketball.
53 ScottyT // May 14, 2008 at 15:08
well if not my mistake getting mixed up with other ivory coast strikers lol.
54 dan // May 14, 2008 at 16:16
He is a striker. Goal record isnt the best but he may be a provider rather than finnisher. If we could get him cheap then maby be could cover for the duke nxt season and lets be honist would score more than smith. Would rather take Derdiyok tho. He could be world class in a few years and has the ambition aswell. This Diane would be a good squad player and is still only 25.
55 tapir // May 14, 2008 at 16:19
all ivory coast striker are dubbed as new drogba? i tot we shuld be looking for the new maradonna or the new pele or the new shearer at least!!
56 Ian // May 14, 2008 at 16:38
I heard he is more like Martins than Drogba, has a couple of mates already here so he is well interested.
We are in for Djibril Cisse too, Bolton and us, that is the signing I want to see. What an agressive strong fast player he is.
57 Danny // May 14, 2008 at 18:53
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IiqjTp7wmE
Seems ok to me…he can play on the right so i see him as more of a back up and competition for milner! Gomis will replace Viduka hopefully…
This guy will be back up for the right hand side i think…
58 Toonboy // May 14, 2008 at 19:04
Breaking news
Spurs to sign Diane
LOL
59 robertsa // May 14, 2008 at 19:24
i like to see a signing on tyneside get the lad in. smith is going to rangers or middlesborough so the door is open go on kev get ya first real signing.
60 robertsa // May 14, 2008 at 19:32
we have competition for gomis from bolton. just show the lad the league table and he will make his mind up. but the thing is if kev said he wants 4-5 players we know they are 4-5 of theese:
diane———–not too sure
mcgeady——not too sure
cuellar——–nearly failed
modric——-failed
gomis ——-yep
kapo ———yep
dunne———–average
arshavin——–hope so
ireland———-hope not
makoun———yep
61 Slam Dunc // May 14, 2008 at 19:55
Exclusive in the Daily Mail, Bolton beat us to Gomis.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=566258&in_page_id=1779
Wise tried to sell Newcastle to Gomis and offered him more money but Gomis was more impressed by Gary Megson.
Keegan was philisophical on hearing the news, “makes a change not losing out to Tottenham, there are plenty more pebbles on the beach”
62 Geordie Gerrard7 // May 14, 2008 at 20:09
slam dunc, where it say that to then?
63 Slam Dunc // May 14, 2008 at 20:37
Sorry, just predicting the future, lol
Just that even Bolton seem to be moving faster than us !!
64 Geordie Gerrard7 // May 14, 2008 at 20:53
slam dunc- we have opned negotions already mate
65 Toonboy // May 14, 2008 at 21:05
Have you got a link geordiegerrard7???
66 Geordie Gerrard7 // May 14, 2008 at 21:15
you not seen about the three man delegation going to france to watch and start negotiations? there was a link on here somewhere
67 Toonboy // May 14, 2008 at 21:18
No aint seen anything on it my friend ??
68 KKK // May 14, 2008 at 21:23
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=566125&in_page_id=1779&ito=newsnow
there ya go Toonboy
69 Toonboy // May 14, 2008 at 21:24
thanks KKK,but its the daily mail should we believe it??
70 KKK // May 14, 2008 at 21:38
Dunno Toonboy but i really want to believe it’s true he is quality and would be our signal of intent after losing out on Modric.
71 Toonboy // May 14, 2008 at 21:40
Very true,i think we need 5 new players but i cant see it if MA wants to slash the wage bill but you never know
72 Essex Geordie // May 14, 2008 at 21:46
Asharvin looked good 2nd half….hint hint MA
73 Essex Geordie // May 14, 2008 at 21:47
Asharvin looked good 2nd half…..hint hint MA
74 KKK // May 14, 2008 at 21:53
It could well just be speculation about cutting the wage bill.
But it will go down if Keegan decides to sell the under-preforming players like Smith, Emre, Roz and Ameobi who are on big wages.
75 Toon1978 // May 14, 2008 at 22:11
GET ARSHIVIN NOW NOW NOW HE IS WORLD CLASS PLAYED EXCELLENT TONIGHT FOR ZENIT. SPURS WILL BE AFTER HIM TOMORROW LOL.
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