Newcastle United are discussing a potential move for exciting young French defender Dayann Methalie.
The 19-year-old has emerged from Toulouse’s famed academy and been a revelation in the French league this season.
His performances swiftly earned him a call up to the France U21 squad and his club were quick put him on a new contract until 2030 in October.
That hasn’t deterred suitors for the 6ft 2ins left-sided wing-back, however, and French sources say Newcastle are weighing up an offer.
Methalie is an athletic, all action defender, who can also fit in at centre-back. His marauding runs forward, combined with a determination to cancel out his opposite man have singled him out for praise in Ligue Un this season.
The teenager didn’t even start a first team game last year but was included in squads and with the help of his coach and a sports psychologist has burst onto the scene this campaign.
Talking to L’Equipe, Methalie said: ‘There was a click. Last season, the coach told me I wasn’t putting enough personality in my game. I fixed that during pre-season. I showed him what I could really do.
‘A psychologist helped me a lot. We spent time figuring out how I could express my qualities. I can clearly feel the difference now.’
He has played 15 games this season and been capped four times at U21 level, scoring twice in a 6-0 win over the Faroe Islands.
Newcastle have Lewis Hall at left-back but face the prospect of losing Kieran Trippier and Tino Livramento at the end of the season while Dan Burn will be 34 in May.
