Newcastle After 18 Year-Old French Defender

Monday April 28th, 2008 by Ed Harrison· 80 Comments

Setanta Sports is reporting today that Paris Saint Germain defender Mamadou Sakho has been scouted by Newcastle United.

Mamadou Sakho - signs professional forms - been at PSG since 11 years old

Mamadou Sakho was born in Paris in February, 1990 and captained PSG at the young age of 17, a French record, and he has also captained the French Under-17 side. He joined PSG at the tender young age of 11 years old and has been there ever since.

Mamadou has just turned 18 years old, and could well be one of the youngsters Newcastle bring in during the summer to add to the 5 top class teenagers the Tyneside club signed in January.

There are really two lists that have been drawn up by Recruitment Directors Dennis Wise and Tony Jimenez – one of senior players and one of youngsters.

Kevin Keegan will be watching some of the players on the list that he hasn’t seen, and we think this report on Sakho is right in line with the new youth policy that Chairman Chris Mort has created.

Kevin Keegan said:

“As far as their list goes, we’ll be flying off over the next three or four weeks to look at the players we don’t know,”

“We know their names but there are one or two on the list from Dennis that I haven’t seen play.”

Some of the youngsters Newcastle will sign will of course go straight into the first team squad, and we expect Mamadou would be one of those, and he will be joined by some of the teenagers who joined the club in January.

The most likely to join the first team squad in August seems to be Tamas Kadar, the Hungarian 18 year old center back, Ben Tozer, our 18 year English left back, signed from Swindon Town, and Kazenga LuaLua, the 17 year-old brother of former Newcastle forward Lomana Lua Lua.. They may also be sent out on loan for 6 months.

The 18-year-old French player is rumored to be ready to move to England, although PSG are likely to resist any approaches for their promising stopper.

But in these situations, money talks and Newcastle have already had many good deals with PSG. The youngster is a left sided defender and can play as a central defender, left back or even out on the left wing.

Mamadou made his first-team debut in the 2006-07 UEFA Cup against Greek side AEK Athens in February 2007. The versatile defender made his Ligue 1 debut just four days later against AS Monaco, and he signed his first professional contract, shown above, in July 2007

Other clubs interested in the youngster, who stands just under 6′2″, include Monaco FC, Chelsea, Lazio and Sparta Praha.

Comments welcome.

Tags: Transfer News and Rumours · Newcastle News · Newcastle Youth

80 responses so far ↓

1 ohh no // Apr 28, 2008 at 17:47

Well Chelski want him to! say good bye to that one then!!
2 OzZyMagpiE // Apr 28, 2008 at 17:51

n might as well get henri saivet as well.. yep itz like one of those sim FM games.. sure why not .. sergio mota renato augusto yep keep going people
3 liamtoonbirchy // Apr 28, 2008 at 17:58

please tell me wise isnt scouting players off football manager lol
4 Taiwantoon // Apr 28, 2008 at 18:00

I was trying to sign him on the FM today…

Seriously, I am not very sure about this guy. Defender is, possibly, the position that experience counts most in football. Well, despite managers and coachs…etc…

But I wouldn’t mind if he does come! It’s always good to have someone promising at the club.
5 Charlie Bucket // Apr 28, 2008 at 18:00

Sorry but no way. Not with a hairstyle like that.

Gallas disease is spreading.
6 Robert from Serbia // Apr 28, 2008 at 18:01

hes good in fm,i signed him,Saivet,Lulinha,Bojan and Renato Augusto,all of them are good
7 ToonKing // Apr 28, 2008 at 18:01

never seen or heard of this guy……..
8 Alex // Apr 28, 2008 at 18:03

Well Nzogbia wants a move, how about trying a swap deal.
9 Benn..Geordie Down South // Apr 28, 2008 at 18:04

would be a quality job if he did.. getz a million a year for playing fm.. what a job.. although not good for us
10 Newcastle United. // Apr 28, 2008 at 18:08

Im sick of Newcastle signing people no-one has ever heard of. They’re clearly not good enough if we havn’t heard of them, My opinion.
11 toonbarmy // Apr 28, 2008 at 18:09

Sounds good for future!

But he has a buy out clause of 23 million euros according to Wikipedia. That would be a lot of money for an 18 year old. Could get him cheaper if PSG are relegated though.
12 Taiwantoon // Apr 28, 2008 at 18:11

I am afraid his price is inflated by the FM effects. No 18 year old worths that much in real life, is there?
13 Gunnar/Iceland // Apr 28, 2008 at 18:12

This guy is an amazing prospect. My friend is from France and supports PSG and told me about this rumour and according to him this younster is one of the most promising defender to emerge from france in many years. There is only one problem which I think might be the pricetag.
14 Taiwantoon // Apr 28, 2008 at 18:15

Problem is that not many top defenders have a 23m buy out clause. Of course, it doesn’t mean he would actually cost 23m. but it’s a good indicator of the price…I would say let it go if it is anything near the amount.
15 Ed Harrison // Apr 28, 2008 at 18:19

Newcastle United - he’s one for the future and just turned 18 - we’d be surprised if you heard of him at that age. He’s one for the future - look at all the “unknown” youngsters Arsenal signed in the last few years - and now look where they are.
16 the only patient toon army // Apr 28, 2008 at 18:45

please don’t simply sign just for the sake of itt must be proven star into making otherwise there is n o point in signing them. For me Dennis wise , listen here you are doing nothing much thus far. You must start working hard to make up for the last minute demise’s of modric’s transfer. Otherwise, toon army won’t be smiling at you and will give you a whipping.. All we want is world class players.
1. dunne
2. curtis davies
3. diego
4. cuellar
5. deco
6. XABI ALONSO!!!!
17 Dave // Apr 28, 2008 at 18:52

Haha, very strange, I just made this lad captain of the toon on Footy Manager!

Very good prospect supposedly.
18 Hadji // Apr 28, 2008 at 18:56

Newcastle United….Have you ever heard about Vidic before he signed for Man Utd.Thats the whole point,how could you hear about this guy when he’s only 18.
19 Leo // Apr 28, 2008 at 19:08

its so funny when people wingh that we are looking at players who they have not heard of, do you think maybe that newcastle have a more vast knowledge of football players than we do….

the guy from the picture looks big and strong, we need that, french defenders are usually good in the premiership. hopefully he will be as good as sylvan distin, and if we get him hopefully we wont loose him…
20 Spyro // Apr 28, 2008 at 19:19

“Im sick of Newcastle signing people no-one has ever heard of. They’re clearly not good enough if we havn’t heard of them, My opinion.”

That has got to be one of the most ridiculous statements i have heard in ages. lol.
21 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 28, 2008 at 19:22

i suggest people have a look on youtube, just a little of taster of what he is like.
22 valle // Apr 28, 2008 at 19:26

He looks mean!!! lol… Im sure his height and strenght coupled with that much exp at such a young age is worth noticing whether you know him or not… Go for him, get him playing with Kadar and Tozer and we have a backline with quality in a coule of seasons.
23 Jamie G // Apr 28, 2008 at 19:31

I hate to add to keegan’s analogies that he was making today about transfer targets, but if u dont plant the seeds, nothing will grow, so i think we should try and get quite a few of these top class youngsters to try and help the club grow..

I dont know about u guys, but i would personally hate to see us spend stupid money on players like crouch and ashton who are no better that what we’ve already got.
we need a centre back (cuellar/dunne), a left back (riise/bridge) and a creative mid/playmaker. if we have money left over or sell nzogbia i think aiden mcgeady looks fantastic and would be awsome.
24 marat18 // Apr 28, 2008 at 19:40

nice to know that spurs are not interested
25 whitey // Apr 28, 2008 at 19:42

rather ironic that we are being linked with so many youngsters given keegans opinions on anything other than the first team when he was last in charge. i like the two list idea, shows good planning and vision for the future, gutted about modric, them dam yids. great idea to invest in youth, well it worked for wenger and fergy and im sure it will work for us. Given the quality of the youngins weve signed already i think we need to trust the decisions of jiminez and wise if we bring this player in.
26 Nick C // Apr 28, 2008 at 19:45

Jamie, I don’t know how u can say Ashton is average. I think he looks a class centre forward. My only concern about him would be his injury record. And Crouch might not be everyones cup of tea but again, I think he could bring a lot to NUFC.
27 ToonDaft // Apr 28, 2008 at 20:05

end of the day, Crouch rarely fails to play well, he is a threat and he scores goals - lol, we could, and have in the past on many occasions, do worse then Crouch
28 scottish mag // Apr 28, 2008 at 20:19

just because we have scouted a player doesnt mean that we will go for them or if we do get them, there is no actual news to say we are going to bid and it just reminds me of the headline ” modric deal done and dusted” that one was true wasnt it, for spurs
29 Ian_McP // Apr 28, 2008 at 20:25

did he captain the U17’s because surely its impossible for a 17yr old to captain the senior team?
30 JJ // Apr 28, 2008 at 20:26

Actually guys, I find FM has really good scouts.
Teves, Ronaldo, Riquelme, Rooney, all these guys I heard about first on FM. Dont slate it too much.
31 Tom_Toon // Apr 28, 2008 at 20:33

Ian - He captained the senior PSG team, Paul Le Guen got a lot of stick for it.
32 JJ // Apr 28, 2008 at 20:35

My top four realistic signings would be:

1 Veluso (creative DM who passes like a dream)
2 Crouch (would be great in Vudukas role)
3 Cuellar (looks great to me)
4 Bridge (to bomb down left ala Beye)

One more signing would be a player to play in Owens role:

1 Gudjohnsen
2 Arshavin
3 Or that lad Tom Toons always points out
33 Ian_McP // Apr 28, 2008 at 20:38

well i find it incredible that he was captain sooo young but at least he could be another one of keegans “leaders”.
btw how much does this guy look like the old wwe wrestler VISCERA
http://www.newciv.org/pic/nl/artpic/195/697/viscera.jpg.
I just had to share that!
34 Ian_McP // Apr 28, 2008 at 20:40

well im glad we’ll be buying another “leader” for keegan.
btw how much does this guy look like VISCERA the old wwe wrestler!!

http://www.newciv.org/pic/nl/artpic/195/697/viscera.jpg

just had to share that
35 ToonDaft // Apr 28, 2008 at 20:41

JJ as at least somewhat of a point here however silly it may initially sound - i have also heard of several players on FM before hand, most notably Messi!!! they do have a very extensive scouting network there
36 Ian_McP // Apr 28, 2008 at 20:50

he looks like the old wwe wrestler viscera! any one else see it?
37 Ian_McP // Apr 28, 2008 at 20:50

http://www.newciv.org/pic/nl/artpic/195/697/viscera.jpg

twins!!
38 chuck // Apr 28, 2008 at 20:53

Have to agree with JJ good players all, even to get one or two would be a coup.
39 scottish mag // Apr 28, 2008 at 21:03

if you look at the research credits on FM options you will see just how wide a search they do over 5000 ppl working for them from everywhere and each is responsible for players in that region, and they are constantly watching first team and youth matches to get an idea about stats for next year and scout reports on FM like i say in 2005 tevez and robinho upfront not bad eh due to scouting
40 Leo // Apr 28, 2008 at 21:27

has anyone seen this on football365.com?

SAID AND DUNNE
Word from The Sun, who reckon that Newcastle want to supplement their already unusually strong defence by signing Man Citeh bruiser Richard Dunne in the summer.

The paper claims Dunne would set them back £6million, and if that comes off then Keggy would allow Abdoulaye Faye to join Blackburn. Lucky them.

As an aside, there is a wonderful ‘no s**t’ moment, as they comment on Keggy’s annoyance at missing out on Luka Modric:

‘There are rumours Modric also turned down Newcastle because Spurs offered better personal terms’ reveals The Sun. Really?

seriously? get rid of faye!!!! he is our best defender in my opinion, i will be truelly gutted if he leaves!!!!!!!
41 Jamie G // Apr 28, 2008 at 21:36

im not doubting that ashton and crouch are good players….but cumon guys!!!! 10 mil for injury prone ashton and like 15 mill for crouch who is not a prolific goal scorer and viduka is probably a better footballer, just a little older…
the fact is english players playing the in prem are grossly over-valued.
42 toonbarmy // Apr 28, 2008 at 21:43

Summer Signings:

Carlos Cuellar – 9Million
Nicky Shorey – 6Million
Miguel Veloso – 12 Million
Jeremy Menez – 12Million
Bafetimbi Gomis – 9 Million

Also some youngstars:

Sam Vokes
Gary Madine
Mamadou Sakho
43 scott9 // Apr 28, 2008 at 21:58

jimmy crouch has the potentail to score at least 15 goals a season probably more if he started eveey game at liverpool i would go for him but first i would try our luk with berbatov
44 Robert from Serbia // Apr 28, 2008 at 21:59

lol ian mcp nice picture =)
45 obafemimartins // Apr 28, 2008 at 22:52

marat18… there will be a story about out tomorrow: SPURS CAPTURE FRENCH DEFENDER. Spurs have announced the signing of 18 year old frnech defender Mamadou Sakho.
46 obamagic // Apr 28, 2008 at 23:09

captain at 17…he must be doing something right.
47 Momo // Apr 28, 2008 at 23:31

Are we suddenly becoming Arsenal because all im hearing is french players coming to us. Why not go for young spanish talent. You have to compare the leagues, the Spanish league take a long time to find the champion because they have quality star players in all their top teams, the French league have only Lyon who seem to have won it for the millionth time this season. So why not go for Spanish players as they seem to have more talent then the french. Examples of other EPL clubs buying spanish youngsters, Liverpool-Torres, Arsenal-Fabregas, etc etc etc
48 Leo // Apr 28, 2008 at 23:46

the reason people go for french players rather than spanish in this league is because they are usually better suited. not a hundred % sure why but im sure its something to do with the french league being played with similar ethics on strength in defence but attacking also…

spain is more run around do fancy stuff and fall over… am only joking with that. i dont know much really lmao
49 Leo // Apr 28, 2008 at 23:48

we do have a good relationship with psg so maybe we will make a move, who knows just waiting to see in the end.
50 Ausgeordie // Apr 29, 2008 at 1:08

TOON BARMY Im with you! Jeremy Menez!!! Get him in!!
51 Hadji // Apr 29, 2008 at 3:24

Apparently Real and Atletiko Madrid are after Bruno Forniroli,he looks like one for the future.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDV9rmtgH2U
52 NUFCFAN // Apr 29, 2008 at 5:23

buy all the under 21 french team!
53 scotty // Apr 29, 2008 at 6:32

Would definately prefer signing players like him than Richard Dunne. KK if you read this site PLEASE DO NOT BUY DUNNE. Can no one see how poor he is???
54 Kenneth Bassan // Apr 29, 2008 at 7:09

Get this guy! Way better than Taylor, and a amazing prospect!Link him with Faye
55 NUFCFAN // Apr 29, 2008 at 7:26

dunne is a massive step backwards - what are we thinking if thats true - its also getting more frustrating to see spurs linked with Villa and Capel. Also the fact that i can see them getting them with Ramos doing the benitez and bringing the best of spain over to England
56 LyNx18 // Apr 29, 2008 at 8:30

Why not go for Matias Fernandes? This guy looks great to me!
57 Hamas (51times) // Apr 29, 2008 at 8:52

Dunne will be on £56,000 a week if he does come apparantly…no thank you.
58 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 29, 2008 at 9:03

im hating the palyers were being linked with again, sakho is a good player but got to be one of the young ones we bring in
59 Midjew // Apr 29, 2008 at 9:03

I dont know WHAT YOU ARE ALL TALKING ABOUT???

Dunne is an amazing Defender and would be a great aquisition for ANY CLUB.

He is MUCH better physically and mentally than taylor or faye. And he rarely gets done over, he has always been the solid base for Man City, better than Micah Richards as he does not make silly mistakes.

He would be a GREAT signing.

Try watching the player for a change.
60 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 29, 2008 at 9:08

midjew, i agree. and as for people complaining about peoples wages, that is ridiculous as its not exactly coming form our pockets is it?
61 Nufcilove // Apr 29, 2008 at 9:15

Read up the news today
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article1101304.ece
62 NUFCFAN // Apr 29, 2008 at 9:26

Geordie Gerrard - back you on your point about the not paying wages - but when you think that they would rather give dunne 56 g and arent prepared to pay the extra for modric its foolish
63 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 29, 2008 at 9:33

nufcfan- please dont bring up the modric thing lol- ITS ABSOLOUTE HEARTACHE.
64 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 29, 2008 at 9:36

id love 5 mill for that bag of tommy tank. but ashton……….?
65 Hadrian // Apr 29, 2008 at 9:52

Is our new scouting system just wisey having a few games of football manager ?

in fairness tho , they get rated in that game based on a large scouting system and its crazy how often they are right , so its not supprising that we are being linked with some of these names .

seen sakho play in the flesh once or twice (and always buy him on FM ! ) he’s a powerhouse and better than tayls already , future captain of france this fella .
66 Hadrian // Apr 29, 2008 at 9:54

ashton is one of the only strikers left in this league that has similar qualitys to shearer imo , great player if you can keep him fit .
67 NUFCFAN // Apr 29, 2008 at 9:54

I want us to buy a player now!
68 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 29, 2008 at 10:02

hadrian- have you seen how quick and skillfull he is?
69 NUFCFAN // Apr 29, 2008 at 10:03

ashton is good but its bascially replacing one crock viduka for another ashton
70 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 29, 2008 at 10:03

yes he does have the similar qaulitys to shearer, but seems to be always injured, i would go for gomis.
71 apan // Apr 29, 2008 at 10:06

idiots

this is for the future, think before making a statement, doesnt mean u never heard of it doesnt mean theyre not good, thats why arsenal got loads of hidden gem…..they bought fabregas from barcelona example, and now barcelona wants him back, and he cost 20 30 mil more now….i thot last time i heard people wants us to sign youngsters for the future n now theyre complainin…..idiots

thats why there’s a SCOUTING team, and this time KK will see first before approving, not like old times where FFS just buy anyone he wants (G.Souness claims he know nuts about all the players) so yeah if ur think ur better than the SCOUTING team just because u play FM, u should apply for work then, in ur dreams..
72 ToonRich // Apr 29, 2008 at 10:08

I think Sakho definately looks like a great prospect. Captaining two teams PSG & national level by the age of 18 is some acheivement, so as already said by others - he must be doing something right. I’d like to see him sign for us.
73 apan // Apr 29, 2008 at 10:11

i dont like to be linked anymore, its not basically true, its just rumours from the press and we all know press always hv bad reps towards newcastle (sacking every now and then) but cant blame them, we ourselves makes us look bad imho seriously, time for a change under KK……

I JUST WANT TO HEAR THIS,

NEWCASTLE HAVE SIGNED ……. FOR ….. IN A 5 YEARS DEAL CONTRACT……

a confirmed news basically, not rumours
74 ronaldeano // Apr 29, 2008 at 11:50

I think Sakho looks a bit gay in that photo!
75 t-g-w // Apr 29, 2008 at 13:00

He’s already in the first team for PSG so I assume he would be joining our first team squad immediately - unlike the other youngsters we’ve signed. SOunds good to me. Would be interesting to know the fee.
76 owengoalmachine // Apr 29, 2008 at 16:56

he looks good, maybe not throw him in at the deep end just yet. Dunne would be a truly great signing for us. Look at how many times hes got man of the match at both club and international level. Go for Dunne, sell Viduka, bring in Crouch. We also need some more goals from midfield. I think make a bid for Tim Cahill.
77 andrew // Apr 29, 2008 at 17:47

fm you jokers stop talking bollox if you knew what you were on about you would have a job in football not just playing a silly game is it just me or are most of the comments on here put up by kids because there seems a total loss of any reality and dunne is a class act better than what we have and he is interested which is more than half the names mentioned on here
78 Momo // Apr 29, 2008 at 22:23

oh by the way, just to say something what happened last time when we had a french defender. I’ll give you a clue

BOUMSONG

playing alongside Titus Shambles making the Chuckle Brothers look better then them
79 Leo // Apr 29, 2008 at 22:32

yes boumsong was poor but then remember how good distin was for us in his time, and how good he is at pompey… he would be worth a punt i think
80 Leo // Apr 29, 2008 at 22:34

damn i missed out on a free american green card because i didnt click the link before i posted a comment. now i have to stay in england damn lol