Newcastle United are looking to raid Marseille and sign teen sensation Ilyes Zouaoui on a free transfer during the summer transfer window, according to The Mail.
Considering that L’OM will be playing Champions League football next season for the first time since 2013/14, while succeeding in tying head coach Andre Villas-Boas down for at least another year, you’d think that there would be a real feel good factor around the Stade Velodrome right now.
But, instead, it seems that Ligue 1’s crisis club are on the verge of another nightmare.
Marseille are under pressure to raise £100 million to avoid Financial Fair Play sanctions and that means many a star man may be sold, according to Le10 Sport.
Though if they lose Zouaoui to Newcastle, the 1993 European champions wouldn’t even have a cash windfall to show for it.
The youngster is set to become a free agent in a matter of weeks. Marseille have offered him a new contract but, with Juventus, Borussia Dortmund and The Magpies all interested, an imminent departure is on the cards.
A skilful winger who loves to cut in from out wide, Zouaoui produced a remarkable 15 goals and 14 assists in just 16 matches for Marseille’s youth teams this season.
Newcastle are still waiting to hear whether they will be taken over by Saudi billionaire Mohammed Bin Salman in a deal that would transform them into one of the richest clubs in European football.
But with Zouaoui available for free, The Magpies should be free to sign him even if Mike Ashley sticks around.
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