Everton and Newcastle United have been linked with Malang Sarr but, according to his former Nice coach Alain Wathelet, the Nice defender could struggle in the Premier League.
It is not often a centre-back nicknamed ‘the little Maldini’ is available for absolutely nothing.
21-year-old Sarr has already confirmed that he has played his final game in Nice colours, with his contract due to expire on July 1.
And, as you might expect given that top-class defenders are few and far between these days, the France U21 international is not exactly short of offers.
Le10 Sport reported in April that both Everton and Newcastle were keen to bring the soon-to-be free-agent to England, with Sarr potentially set to fill a Kurt Zouma-shaped void at the heart of The Toffees’ backline.
But while Sarr is renowned for his superb passing range and his impessive reading of the game, a man who knows him better than most fears that he might lack the speed required to shine across the Channel.
“He is not very tall, but he is endowed with a remarkable physical strength and good technique. In addition, he has great intelligence and excellent ability with long passes,” Wathelet, who believes Inter Milan would be the best destination for Sarr this summer, tells Europa Calcio.
“He never lacks motivation and is not someone who is ever satisfied because he wants to improve more and more. I think the Nerazzurri can be a good option for him.
“Malang is a very solid defender but he is not very fast. In a very tactical league like the Italian one, he could do very well. I would see him more in trouble in the Premier League.”
Everton and Newcastle may be willing to overlook those potential pitfalls, however. Big-money signings will be few and far between this summer and the opportunity to sign a centre-back with huge potential for absolutely nothing may be too good to turn down.
Then again, while you can improve your strength, your concentration and your passing, pace is usually something you’re simply born with.
Or not, in Sarr’s case.
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