Will Graham Carr exit have affect on Newcastle United’s Ryad Boudebouz links

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Ligue 1 star Ryad Boudebouz was a long-standing favourite of Newcastle United chief scout Graham Carr.

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez appeared to have differing views to Graham Carr

For better or for worse, the reign of Graham Carr is over at Newcastle United. According to Sky Sports, the long-serving chief scout has parted company with the club by ‘mutual consent’ after seven largely divisive years at St James’ Park.

Without Carr, there would have been no Yohan Cabaye, no Cheick Tiote, no Papiss Cisse. There also wouldn’t have been a raft of imported underachievers from Remy Cabella to Florian Thauvin.

Meanwhile, his Francophile approach to the transfer market lead to many seeing him as a pawn for owner Mike Ashley, desperately searching for cheap additions to designed to be sold on at a higher price.

Yet, his exit appears to represent a major watershed moment for Newcastle. Previous managers Alan Pardew and Steve McClaren have publically lamented not being handed control over recruitment but Carr’s departure hands Rafael Benitez what he has demanded from the very beginning; complete autonomy over the players brought in to St James’ Park.

And you wonder whether this draws a line under Newcastle’s links with Ryad Boudebouz. According to The Chronicle, Ligue 1 side Montpellier offered the Algerian playmaker to The Magpies in January, knowing that Carr was a big fan.

Ryad Boudebouz (L) enjoyed the best season of his career

In fact, Newcastle have been linked as far back as 2011, when Boudebouz was a sprightly winger making his name with Sochaux.

Deal dead?

Boudebouz scored 11 goals and assisted a further nine to save Montpellier from the drop last season, earning the admiration of Premier League rivals Everton and Southampton, as reported by The Mirror.

However, it now seems unlikely that Newcastle will put their hat into the ring. Because The Chronicle claimed that, while Carr wanted Boudebouz in the North East, Benitez was far less keen.

And with the Spaniard now able to operate alone on transfer dealings, it appears highly unlikely that one of Carr’s long-standing targets will finally move to Newcastle this summer.