Boumsong To Miss Out On St James' Park Return?
Last updated : 28 July 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor
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We will have to wait the outcome of that enquiry, but it seems the French will NOT be making a nostalgic return to Tyneside when we play Juventus in the coming pre-season friendly.
Spanish sports daily AS claims that the Juventus outcast is on his way to the Mestalla.
The Frenchman arrived at the Stadio delle Alpi at the beginning of last season but (just like at Newcastle) failed to impress. The report says he is set to be sold.
"Juve have strengthened their back line with the acquisition of Depor's Jorge Andrade, further hastening Boumsong's potential departure.
"With new coach Claudio Ranieri apparently eager to rid himself of the former Auxerre man, Valencia - should their interest prove concrete - could yet land the defender for a low price.
"27 year old Boumsong started his career with Le Havre, before moving to AJA. A free move to Rangers followed, prior to his big-money transfer to Newcastle United. He has 21 caps for the French national team."
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The French international signed from Glasgow Rangers for £6m in 2005 and made 69 appearances for Newcastle, scoring two goals.
Big and strong and highly rated at the time, he was Graeme Souness' first buy (after taking ex-Man U and Aston Villa defender Ronnie Johnson who was out of contract), but he never made the grade in the Premiership.
Always defended by Souness, who said he would become a world star, but he rarely produced, and he signed for Juventus in the summer of 2006 for £3m.