Gabriel Obertan is on the verge of a move to Newcastle United after two disappointing seasons at Old Trafford for the French winger. A deal rumoured to be worth around £3million for the former French U21 international is rumoured to be close to being completed.

The move to the Magpies will be seen as a good move for all parties. Without being too harsh on Obertan the move to Old Trafford has not worked out for the player who whilst having too many opportunities has failed to make a lasting impression when he has got the chance.

On his last first team appearance at home to Crawley Town in the FA Cup he failed to impress and in all honesty a move away has been on the cards for a while. There is no doubting that Obertan has talent and potential as he wouldn’t have been signed in the first place,

What has been doubted by many observers is whether he has the quality to become a regular at Old Trafford. Obertan himself has admitted to having confidence issues in the past and certainly he would not be the only young player to suffer from this.

With competition for places at United this season it’s unlikely that the Frenchman would be getting alot of opportunities this coming season and despite playing well in America duing the club’s pre-season tour, the move to Newcastle could be the making of him.

Under Alan Pardew he will get more first-team opportunities and with fellow countrymen Yohan Cabaye, Ssylvan Marveaux, Hatem Ben Arfa and French-speaking Senegalese forward Demba Ba part of the St James’ Park outfit he should feel more at home.

There’s no doubt that if Pardew can work on Obertan’s confidence, with his pace and height Newcastle could have a very good Premier League player on their hands. On the other hand if the winger doesn’t produce straight away it would not be a suprise to see sold back to a Lique 1 club the following summer.

By @ADennehey87