According to Foot Mercato, Newcastle are interested in Southampton’s Yan Valery.
The Frenchman has spent the second half of this season out on loan, playing for Birmingham in the Championship.
But Foot Mercato claim he could be a man in demand this summer.
They state that Marseille are interested in the 22-year-old, while Newcastle and Borussia Monchengladbach are also monitoring the situation.
However, FM claim that Valery is open to a return to France. That could put the Magpies at a disadvantage, on account of Newcastle not being in France…
Right-back is a bit of a problem position for Steve Bruce.
He signed Emil Krafth in 2019, but the Swede has severely struggled at times. Javi Manquillo is often inconsistent, while DeAndre Yedlin was let go in February.
Jacob Murphy is currently occupying the role of right wing-back, but proved against Arsenal that he isn’t the best defensively.
So it’s no surprise that the Magpies are reportedly keeping an eye on Valery.
Valery won’t have good memories of his last game against Newcastle
The defender won’t look back fondly at the last time he played against Newcastle.
It was March 7th 2020, the last time Newcastle won a game in front of fans.
Valery was Southampton’s right-back on that day, and had a torrid time up against Allan Saint-Maximin.
The Toon talisman caused Valery problems all afternoon. In the end, it was a mistake from the Saints youngster that decided the game.
Saint-Maximin pounced on an error from Valery, handing Newcastle a vital three points.
At least if Valery did join Newcastle he’d only have to deal with Saint-Maximin in training…
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