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Newcastle United should finish what Graham Carr started and sign Samuel Umtiti – TBR View

Mathew Nash

Thu 30 April 2020 9:15, UK

Newcastle United are being linked with a whole host of top players this month, as the club is getting close to a Saudi-backed takeover.

One of the names being linked with a move is French World Cup winner Nabil Fekir of Real Betis. 

But should Newcastle actually be targeting a fellow member of that squad that former chief scout Graham Carr was once tracking? 

Newcastle United once had something of an obsession for signing French players. It worked in some cases. Yohan Cabaye, Moussa Sissoko, and Hatem Ben Arfa all proved that. 

But there were many failures, including Massadio Haidara, Remy Cabella, and Sylvain Marveaux, for example. 

Samuel Umtiti, could have been one of the big successes. Back in March 2013, that Carr was watching the young left-back. He even watched him in action for the French under-20 team. 

In 2016, that Newcastle were keen on a £10 million deal for the player and it was clear Umtiti was in their crosshairs. 

However, the Magpies were relegated that season and Carr left the club the following year. As for Umtiti, he headed to Barcelona in 2016 after a brilliant display at the European Championships for France that summer. 

His time at the Nou Camp appears to be coming to an end. 

the Catalan side are ready to cut their losses on the Frenchman who has struggled with knee injuries during his time at the Nou Camp. the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are keen on the player, who could be available for as little as £26 million. 

With Newcastle United’s new riches, that is a fee they could easily stump up. Perhaps they could finish off what Carr started seven years ago.