Newcastle To Swoop For French Teenager Sakho?

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Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear is planning to swoop for Paris St Germain’s teenage defender Mamadou Sakho, when the transfer window reopens in January, according to The People.

The Magpies have already been linked with 18-year-old Sakho last April, with previous Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan keen on bringing the versatile defender to St James’ Park. With new boss Kinnear now reportedly ready to reignite the Premier League clubs interest in Sakho, who has already captained PSG making him the youngest captain in Ligue 1 history aged 17.

Newcastle are understood to have sent scouts to watch Sakho in action against Dutch side FC Twente in the UEFA Cup last week, with scouts from other Premiership clubs also at the game to watch the defender that can play as right-back or as a central defender.

Sakho has come through the youth system at PSG, joining the club as an 11-year-old and making his senior debut in 2007, with the defender, who is valued at around £6million already making 20 appearances for PSG during his fledgling career at the Parc des Princes.

Newcastle have already got French defender Sebastien Bassong at St James’ Park, who was a summer signing from FC Metz and should they follow up their initial interest in Sakho, will hope that the teenager can settle into the rigours of the Premier league as quickly as Bassong has at the Toon.

Everton Look To Pancrate To Ease Striker Crisis

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Everton manager David Moyes has been linked with a move for Paris St Germain striker Fabrice Pancrate in the January transfer window, with the Toffees boss desperately in need of some more firepower upfront at Goodison Park due to injuries.

The Merseyside club face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday at Goodison, but Moyes only has one fit striker in Victor Anichebe available, with Yakubu and James Vaughan both out with long-term injuries and summer signing Louis Saha suffering from persistent hamstring problems.



28-year-old Pancrate had been a summer target for Premiership debutantes Hull City and could leave PSG on loan in January or for a modest fee of around £1million due to his present deal at the Parc des Princes running out at the end of the season.

Pancrate has been at PSG since joining from Ligue 1 rivals Le Mans in 2004 and has made 68 league appearances for the French side. However, Pancrate is not what you would call a natural goalscorer and has only scored 9 goals in the French top-flight for PSG since he left Le Mans, with the striker spending a short loan spell at La Liga side Real Betis in 2007.

Moyes is also reportedly interested in Manchester City summer signing Jo, who has struggled to make an impact at the Eastlands Stadium since his move from CSKA Moscow. However, it is understood that while City manager Mark Hughes may let the Brazilian International go out on loan. Hughes would be reluctant to loan Jo to another Premier League club.

Marseille, PSG, Lyon Or Bordeaux To Offer Arsenal Outcast Gallas Way Out?

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Olympique Marseille along with Bordeaux, Olympique Lyonnais and Paris St Germain could offer French International a way out of Arsenal when the transfer window reopens in January. With 31-year-old Gallas being suspended and stripped of the captains armband at the North London club following comments made to the media on Friday.

Gallas has already declared a desire to return to France, with Marseille along with Lyon, PSG or Bordeaux his preferred destination.

“It's true that I'd like to return to France for one or perhaps two seasons to finish my career," Gallas is quoted as saying in Times Online.

“But if I go, it won't be to just anywhere. I'd go to a big club or nowhere at all. The choices look simple to me - it would be Marseilles, Lyon, PSG or, let's not forget, Bordeaux. PSG are a massive club and known everywhere."

This process could now be speeded up in light of recent events at the Emirates Stadium, with a family member of Gallas claiming that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has told Gallas he can leave.

The family member told The Sun: “Arsene told him 'If you don't want to be in my team then just go. You are free to leave'.

"He's had the captaincy taken away and has also been suspended from the team.

"Of course, he's totally devastated about what's happened and is now wondering what to do next.

"He simply doesn't know what will happen to him. He's very down."

With his Arsenal future in doubt the Ligue 1 sides would be able to lure Gallas away from the Premier League for a modest fee, with Wenger reportedly ready to offload the defender in January.

Gallas has already played for Marseille between 1997 and 2001 before joining Chelsea, making 111 league appearances during his time at the Stade Velodrome, but has singled out Bordeaux coach former Manchester United player Laurent Blanc as a good guy to lead you.

Gallas said: “As far as Bordeaux, I really like the club and the region. I was a Jean Tigana fan when he played for Bordeaux. Their coach now is Laurent Blanc who I've never played for but who knows football off by heart and must be a good guy to lead you.”

Arsenal To Beat Sunderland To Landreau In Fabianski Swap Deal?

Arsenal could beat Sunderland to French International Mickael Landreau after reports claiming that the goalkeeper’s current club Paris St Germain are keen to lure Gunners reserve keeper Lukasz Fabianski away from the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is understood to be willing to let Polish International Fabianski leave the North London club, with the 23-year-old keeper unhappy at his lack of opportunities at the Gunners since his transfer from Legia Warsaw in 2007.

Wenger however, will not let Fabianski leave Arsenal without finding a suitable replacement and was linked with a shock move for 29-year-old Landreau by the French press recently. Which throws up the possibility of some form of swap deal between the two clubs.

PSG value Landreau in the region of £2million and he is considered one of the best keepers in Ligue 1, with a big reputation as a penalty specialist, having saved over 30 in his career to date with Nantes and PSG.

Any move by Arsenal is sure to anger Black Cats boss Roy Keane, who has targeted Landreau as the goalkeeper to replace Scottish International Craig Gordon at the Stadium of Light, but with PSG’s interest in Fabianski and Wenger’s admiration of Landreau then it could be London and not the North East where Landreau ply’s his trade in the Premier League come January.

Almunia To Be Shown Emirates Exit As Arsenal Line Up Shock Move For Ligue 1 Keeper?

Arsenal are ready to make a shock January move for goalkeeper Mickael Landreau at Ligue 1 side Paris St Germain, with Gunners manager Arsene Wenger ready to replace current keeper Manuel Almunia, according to reports in France.

29-year-old Landreau has been at PSG since joining from Nantes in 2006 and is considered one of the best keepers in France, with Landreau a penalty-kick specialist, having saved over 30 during his career at Nantes and PSG.

Wenger has been keeping an eye on Landreau since last season, but decided to give Almunia his chance at the Emirates Stadium following the departure of German International Jens Lehmann to VfB Stuttgart in the summer.

However, Wenger is understood to have some concerns over his Spanish keeper after recent performances, with the Frenchman not convinced that Almunia is up to the task in the Premier League for the long-term and has drawn up a list of possible replacements, with the PSG stopper topping it.

Landreau has two-years left to run on his contract at the Parc des Princes and could be available for as little as £2million when the transfer window reopens in January, should Wenger decide to follow up his initial interest in the keeper.