DREAMBOAT 2? NEWCASTLE EYES DIJON'S CORGNET

According to a report today from the French sports daily L'Equipe, Newcastle United is leading the pursuit of Dijon sensation Benjamin Corgnet, a 24-year-old attacking midfielder who has broken out this season with 6 goals in 16 matches to keep his club above the Ligue 1 relegation line. The item is only a brief, but L'Equipe has proved to be the gold standard of transfer news reliability since Newcastle trained its scouting sights on France, and the briefs in L'Equipe tend to be a bellwether of more news to come. The timing seems logical, as several bigger Premier League clubs, most recently Chelsea, have been reported to have scouted but cooled lately on the player. "Les Bleus are really too far away so far," Corgnet told Sky. L'Equipe reports that Aston Villa and Blackburn are also on Corgnet's trail.

As he plays for a club that isn't a force in Ligue 1, we don't know much about Corgnet (though we'll be trying to find out more soon). We do know he's represented by the powerful and somewhat dark figure Jean-Pierre Bernes, who served time for his role in the Olympique de Marseille bribery scandal during his days as No. 2 to Marseille president Bernard Tapie and is now considered among Europe's more influential agents, with a roster that includes, among others, Samir Nasri. We also know Corgnet is fast outgrowing Dijon. From Sky: "If I go on this way and Dijon get salvation, the best solution would be for me to leave."

All we can find for highlights thus far is the rather ridiculous piece of video below, entitled "Benjamin Corgnet, a crazy talent in the Gentlemen's tournament room." But if the stats and still photos are any indication, Corgnet could make an attractive bookend for Yohan Cabaye in the Newcastle middle.

 

Comments

[Mr. B]

I have my concerns about Corgnet. Yes, he having a great season for Dijon, but keep in mind, two seasons ago, he was plying his trade in the French equivalent of the Blue Square Premier. He had a good season in Ligue 2 and he looks to have improved even more this season in Ligue 1, but I just wonder if a jump to the Premiership would be too much for him right now. I think he'd be best served staying another season in Ligue 1 first, though of course, he could just have been one of those great talents that slipped through the cracks as a youth...