Jump to content

Sam wants French defenders


Scottish Mag
 Share

Recommended Posts

FRANCK Queudrue will have talks with Newcastle United on Monday as Sam Allardyce looks to finally fill the club’s problematic left-back spot. And another Frenchman, Rod Fanni, is in the frame to complete a revamped back four at St James’s Park.

 

Former Middlesbrough defender Queudrue moved closer to leaving Fulham when the Cottagers signed Paul Konchesky from West Ham United yesterday.

 

The England international moved across London for an undisclosed fee. Although Konchesky can also play in midfield, he seems certain to be a replacement for the unsettled Queudrue.

 

The player’s agent, Dominique Six, revealed Newcastle are in pole position to land Queudrue, who left Teesside for the capital a year ago. Another, unnamed club, have approached the 28-year-old but would prefer to make a move in the January transfer window because of financial constraints.

 

Queudrue’s representative is expecting to meet Lawrie Sanchez on Monday to discuss his client’s situation now Konchesky has signed. After that he is due to speak to Newcastle – on the phone rather than in person.

 

Like a number of Chris Coleman’s former signings at Craven Cottage, Queudrue does not seem enamoured with Sanchez’s direct style and is agitating for a move. The opportunity to move back to the North-East, where he spent five years with Middlesbrough, would seem an ideal solution.

 

But Six believes another of the players he represents, defender Fanni, has an even better chance of playing for the Magpies next season. The 26-year-old has been touted around Europe after his club Nice agreed to sell this summer, and Newcastle are keen on the £3.5m-rated player.

 

Fanni, who has also been linked with the likes of Monaco, Celtic, Genoa and St Etienne, is a prototype Allardyce player. Although 28 of his 33 Ligue 1 starts came at right-back last season, his others came at centre-back, left-back, right midfield and central midfield.

 

The former Martigues, Lens and Chateauroux player claimed earlier in the season that, as well as Newcastle, Everton and West Ham United have also been in touch but Six was keen to stress Newcastle’s interest when he spoke to The Journal. “All the managers in France love this player,” he said. “I have three clubs in France who want him but I think I can get him a transfer to the Premier League.”

 

Observers in France have described Fanni as “Lilian Thuram’s heir apparent” in les Bleus’ squad and he is widely expected to earn his first cap next season. His contract runs until 2010.

 

With Geremi and David Rozehnal already signed, Allardyce could start the season with an all-new back four of Geremi, Fanni, Rozehnal and Queudrue. However, Fanni’s arrival would give Allardyce the option of employing Geremi in midfield, making space for Steven Taylor to partner Rozehnal in the centre once he recovers from his ankle injury.

 

Taylor was one of the few United players to emerge with any credit from last season and was recently talked about by England manager Steve McClaren as a potential international of the not-too distant future. He is also one of the leading candidates to skipper the side. Meanwhile, the Magpies could have Mark Viduka available sooner than expected after Australia were embarrassed at the Asia Cup yesterday.

 

A goal from the striker could not prevent the Socceroos losing 3-1 to minnows Iraq, which could see their participation in the tournament end next week.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Queudrue - Only as a backup.

 

Fanni - Thuram's 'heir apparent' yet is 26 and still uncapped? I'd have reservations as to why no when else has been in for him if he has been touted around Europe.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

remiership interest is mounting in French star Rod Fanni.

 

The Nice full-back has a host of clubs in his homeland tracking him, but he has his heart set on a move to England - although Celtic are also believed to be admirers.

 

Rennes are leading the chase in France with Monaco and Paris Saint Germain also interested.

 

However, the player's agent Dominique Six has told skysports.com that his charge has his heart set on a move across the Channel.

 

"He wants to move to England," he told skysports.com.

 

"He is very content in France and has three offers, but he really wants to play in England."

 

Six feels that Fanni is better placed to succeed in the Premier League than Bakari Sagna - who has just completed a move to Arsenal.

 

"Fanni is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in France and the is the quickest.

 

"If Sagna moves to England for some €9 million, then Fanni for me would be a wonderful bargain."

 

Newcastle are one of the clubs said to be interested in Fanni and Six admits that Sam Alladryce is aware of him.

 

"Allardyce knows about him, I am due in England next week and we will be looking to meet with Newcastle," he said.

 

Six also represents Franck Queudrue - who is set to leave Fulham, and he will be another name being discussed with Newcastle, although a number of clubs are know to be interested.

 

"Everyone in England knows about Franck, and what he can do," he added.

 

sky sports

Edited by khay
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I always thought Queudrue was a decent defender, but not in the same bracket as the likes of Bridge. If Franck is going cheap, i wouldnt see signing him as precluding any interest should Bridge become available later.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

spoke to a guy who's afulham fan the other day about him, and he said he'd rather see the back of quedrue, who's too slow and not good enough in the tackling department.

 

i hope he doesn't come here and that sam manages to get someone else. someone decent...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Gabriel Heinze wants to leave Manchester United.

 

Heinze has been linked with a summer move after losing his regular left-back slot to Patrice Evra last season.

 

The Argentinian has been courted by Liverpool, Newcastle United, Real Madrid and Barcelona, although Ferguson has yet to receive a firm bid.

 

However, the Red Devils manager acknowledged that Heinze is hoping to secure a transfer before the start of the season.

 

"Gaby's agent has advised us that he wants to move on," said Ferguson.

 

"I am not too sure about that and we do not have a concrete offer from any particular club.

 

"But there is some momentum regarding the player's next move in terms of through his agent, even if nothing is close at this moment in time."

 

Heinze joined United from Paris Saint Germain in a £6.9million deal three years ago and has made 83 appearances for the club, having missed the bulk of the 2005/06 season through injury.

 

Meanwhile, Ferguson has also confirmed that Gary Neville and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should be back in training prior to the opening game of the season.

 

Louis Saha, though, is likely to sit out the match with Reading on 12th August as he is not due to return to training until the middle of next month.

 

Skysports

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
Birmingham are set to seal the signing of Franck Queudrue, skysports.com understands.

 

The Fulham defender is keen to leave Craven Cottage just 12 months after quitting Middlesbrough for the capital.

 

A number of clubs including Newcastle have been linked with a move for the talented left-back, but Birmingham now look set to seal a swoop.

 

Speaking to skysports.com, Queudrue's agent Dominique Six confirmed talks were ongoing and a deal should be struck soon.

 

"Nothing is done yet as we've still got a few points to negotiate but we should be fixed on Thursday," Six told skysports.com.

 

Fulham boss Lawrie Sanchez has already signed Paul Konchesky from West Ham, knowing Queudrue was not in his plans for the new Premier League season.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.