Over the past ten years or so, France and its leagues have become a very regular hunting ground for Premier League clubs, who flex their financial muscles to get young talents or experienced players from clubs unable to say no to the money on offer.
Arsenal and Arsène Wenger were the first to really exploit this, and it’s a trend that has spread throughout the league ever since.
Now, clubs like Everton and Newcastle continuously keep an eye on youth teams in France just in case the right opportunity comes along, exemplified by the Magpies’ attempts to sign Stanley N’Soki last summer.
The arrival of Marcel Brands at Goodison Park has also revamped the recruiting process on Merseyside, and while the Toffees have dipped their toes in the French market in the past, they could do so even more in the future if one of their scouts is to be believed.
He said: “There are many talents that leave because French clubs don’t realise the value of the work they do developing them. They buy more and more players abroad that block the path for their own players.
“(Adil) Aouchiche and (Tanguy) Kouassi should have been seriously tied down a long time ago (by Paris Saint-Germain). Foreign clubs, down their end, see the label of a player developed in France. At Everton, they’re crazy about young French players.”
Something to keep in mind as we go forward, especially with Brands at the helm, known for his astute navigation of the transfer market and nose for a good deal when it becomes available.
