Allan Saint-Maximin has told Goal that he wants Newcastle to sign Nantes midfielder Ludovic Blas this summer – after a stunning 2021-22 campaign in which he has played a huge part in Nantes defying pre-season expectation.
Blas, 24, has scored 14 goals for Nantes from midfield, and three assists. One win in their last five has seen Nantes fall out of the top six, but they still sit in a lofty ninth place – although a relegation battle was expected.
The midfielder, who has 14 caps for France’s Under-20 side, is about to enter the last two years of his contract. Jeunes Footeux report that Nantes would accept offers in the region of £21.5million for the midfielder.
Recent reports claimed that Newcastle held talks to sign Blas in the January window but a move did not materialise – with West Ham also interested. Now, Saint-Maximin has urged his club to sign the midfielder this summer.
“I would most certainly want my friends to join the club. I am thinking for example of Ludovic Blas. I really like the person and what he also does in Nantes. He scored a lot of goals. It is an essential element [at] Nantes.”
Saint-Maximin wants Blas: Nantes star would be ideal for Newcastle
The midfielder fits the exact blueprint Newcastle need to use in the window. In January, it was about buying Premier League ready players in their peak – Chris Wood, Matty Targett, Dan Burn and Kieran Trippier.
Bruno Guimaraes was an anomaly but one that was an example of a long-term project at Newcastle, and Blas would fit that. Between the age of 20 and 25, but with plenty of experience and quality at the highest level.
Blas has already clocked up 230 senior appearances in his short career for Nantes and Guingamp and this term, has shown he is ready for the step up. At £21.5million, he is a no-brainer for Newcastle.
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