French new boys chase free agent Cacapa

Jun 28 2009 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

NEWCASTLE defender Cacapa is wanted by French top-flight new boys Montpellier.

Returning to Ligue 1 after a five-year absence, Montpellier are keen to tempt Cacapa – a free agent once his United contract expires this week – back across the Channel.

The Brazilian, now 33, made his name in Europe during seven seasons with Lyon before joining Newcastle – again, as a free agent – two summers ago.

But his career on Tyneside has been going backwards ever since a shambolic display in a heavy home defeat by Portsmouth in November 2007.

Cacapa made just four Premier League starts last season, and just seven appearances in all, finishing on the winning side once.

His wages would be the main stumbling block to any deal with Montpellier, but it is unlikely that he will command a salary of even half the £40,000-a-week he earned at Newcastle.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the Magpies’ spectrum, youngster Nile Ranger has been named in England’s squad for next month’s European Under-19 Championship finals.

Ranger earned his place in former Newcastle Academy director Brian Eastick’s 18-man squad for the tournament in Ukraine with four goals in three appearances late in the qualifying campaign.

Middlesbrough goalkeeper Jason Steele is the only other North East-based player in the England squad.