The 25-year-old has long been tracked by West Ham but Newcastle United should not be discounted from the equation.
Newcastle United might not be so hung up on their previously Francophile approach to the transfer market under Rafael Benitez but that does not mean The Magpies should treat each and every Ligue 1 import like the second coming of Remy Cabella. Or Florian Thauvin, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Romain Amalfitano, Emmanuel Riviere and, to a lesser extent, Yoan Gouffran.
The Sun report that West Ham are determined to return with another offer for St Etienne right-back Kevin Malcuit in the summer having had an £8.5 million bid rejected in January.
Right-back has been something of a problem position for The Hammers this season with Michael Antonio struggling with the defensive side of the role and Sam Byram absent for a large stretch of the season.
And while DeAndre Yedlin’s excellent recent form means Newcastle United currently have few concerns about the right flank of their back four, The Chronicle’s claims that Vurnon Anita (below) will be allowed to leave at the end of the season means The Magpies may be lacking in depth going into next season.
Especially with injury restricting Jesus Gamez to just two league appearances.
And Malcuit could be the ideal addition, even for a hefty £10 million, as reported by The Sun.
At 25, he is young enough to earn the club, or Mike Ashley, a substantial profit while his ability to play in a number of roles, right-back, wing-back even central midfield, means he could replace Anita as Rafa Benitez’s go-to utility man.
Furthermore, Malcuit would offer a lot more in the final third than his potential Dutch predecessor, producing a career best three assists this season.
Just imagine what Slaven Bilic will do to an unsuspecting boom mic if Newcastle beat him to his top target.
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