Is Fab fab?Farid Belkacemi, agent of Newcastle United’s ex PSG out of contract signing prospect, Fabrice Pancrate, has been giving the full blather about his client’s potential move to Tyneside. Pancrate’s had a three day trial with the Magpies last week, and is said (by Belkacemi) to be returning on Monday. As is usual with agents who have players out of contract (Pancrate was released by Paris Saint Germain on the 11th August this year), Belkacemi’s waffle was all ridiculously ‘over the top’.
Belkacemi gushed:
“Fabrice loves Newcastle,” adding:
“Many clubs in France want him because he is free. Nantes, Strasbourg . . . they offered him a big contract just yesterday but he says: ‘I prefer Newcastle’.
“The French don’t understand why. They say: ‘But Newcastle are not in the Premier League!’ But Fabrice loves the professional environment, the town and the mentality of the supporters.
“Of course, he is ambitious, and Newcastle is the only team in the Championship he would play for [he’s already been on trial at Sheffield United – wt], because he believes they will soon be back in the Premier League. He told me: ‘I am a black man, but in my blood, I am black and white!’
“So we fly back to Newcastle on Monday night and we hope we can sign next week. He is 200 per cent for Newcastle.” (more…)
Injection of pace?In contrast to Chris Hughton’s recent statement that he was more than happy with the squad he has leading into the festive period, it’s being reported that Newcastle are interested in signing what be the latest in a line of French wingers.
Apparently following in the footsteps of David Ginola and Laurent Robert, Fabrice Pancrate could be joining us if rumours are to be believed. The reports are coming from France Football, who are generally well regarded in the game with regards their information. Basically, they won’t mention it unless there’s any truth in it.
Of course they are some French boots to fill as both Ginola and Robert offered something unique and exciting to the team. Admittedly, I don’t know anything about this fella but he’s described as a striker/attacking midfielder. He’s currently out of contract after his deal ran out at Paris St Germain, although he’s still training with them. He’s had a loan spell at Real Betis and is apparently being pursued by a number of French and English clubs. He was pursued in the summer by Portsmouth, Everton, Sheff Utd and Burnley.
The suggestion is that our pursuit has come out of the blue and that we now stand at the front of the queue with potentially a deal being struck quite quickly. He’s apparently like **** off a stick, so that could be the pace we’ve been crying out for this season. (more…)
