Liverpool and Newcastle linked with French central defender

The player in question is Nicolas Isimat-Mirin, who is a 21-year old 6’2? centre-back, who plays for Valenciennes, having joined them from the youth academy of Stade Rennais in the summer of 2008 after having spent his formative years at the much renowned Clairefontaine academy. He made his debut in a Coupe de la Ligue match against Nîmes Olympique, appearing as a substitute, and has so far played 66 times for the team known as Barcelona of Northern France, scoring 1 goal in the process and accumulating 6 yellows and 2 reds.

Isimat-Mirin is renowned for his aerial ability and that is what Newcastle need, with Williamson still yet to convince many of the Toon faithful, Steven Taylor injury-prone and James Perch more suited in midfield or in the full back area. As for Liverpool, Jamie Carragher’s days at the club look numbered, and Sebastian Coates is still yet to fully convince everyone at the club, so both the clubs could really do with a promising centre-back. However, he is a little weak with his passing and tackling, but at 21 there is plenty of scope for improvement. Overall, he would be a good player for either of the two clubs mentioned, or any other who decides to take him.

The news is that Isimat-Mirin could be available for a price of around £3 million, with Valenciennes having some financial difficulties. This is a really reasonable price for some one like Isimat-Mirin, who is contracted up to 2014 and has represented France at various youth levels.

We focused on Isimat-Mirin in one of our earlier articles, and it seems like the clubs have heeded our advice.