Allan in a Max-imum effort to bring good pal Blas to Tyneside
ALLAN Saint-maximin is the latest Newcastle United player to try and tempt a close friend to the North East with a public plea to Nantes midfielder Ludovic Blas.
The No 10, who scored the only goal in the French Cup final at the weekend, knows the Magpies’ winger well and is a reported transfer target for Eddie Howe’s side.
Newcastle should have no issue attracting big names this summer, with Wor Flags’ pre-match displays, the owners keeping their many promises and the new training ground all helping to boost the club’s profile to outsiders.
Yet another weapon Newcastle have is the players already in the dressing room.
Kieran Trippier will be used to lure in big names, Saint-maximin has the French links, while Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton can attract
South for his team. If I had to choose it would be the heart which would speak.
“I would most certainly want my friends to join the club.
“I am thinking for example of Ludovic Blas.
“I really like him and what he also does at Nantes. He has scored a lot of goals. He is an essential element at Nantes. I know Bruno is very fond of Lucas Paqueta.” Paqueta would represent a huge jump in quality for Newcastle, the playmaker enjoying a fine season with Ligue 1 outfit Lyon.
Guimaraes will undoubtedly be trying to tempt his comrade over to England, the Magpies’ transfer interest genuine.
“It would be my dream,” Guimaraes admitted when asked about a reunion with Paqueta. “Paqueta is my best friend, we made a relationship, not only on the field but we lived together all the time outside. “It was a brotherly relationship and we still talk every day.
“It would be really cool if he could come here but I cannot do this job.” As for Blas, he will enjoy Europa League football next season should he decide to stay at Nantes. His winning goal over the weekend means the French top-flight side has qualified for the group stage, ending its 21-year wait to play European football.