Former football agent Barry Silkman in the book The Not-So Secret Football Agent reports that the former player of the French team Zinedine Zidane could go to Newcastle.
I was told about the talented 24-year-old Bordeaux attacking midfielder and I went to see him. His name was Zinedine Zidane. It took me five minutes to realize that this guy was going to be something amazing.
Under Kevin Keegan, I brought quality players to Newcastle and every one of them was successful. Zidane seemed like the perfect option.
It was January 7, 1996 and I told Kevin he could buy Zidane for £1.2 million, it was a significant amount of money. I begged Kevin to buy him, but he eventually told me that the club’s chief scout didn’t think Zidane was good enough.
I wish I had kept the fax they sent me from Newcastle where the chief scout said: “Silkie has grossly overestimated the player.” At best, he will suit Wolves, who are currently bottom of the Championship table.
