I’m a former football agent – I offered Zinedine Zidane to Newcastle but manager said he was barely Championship level
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A FORMER football agent has revealed how he offered Zinedine Zidane to Newcastle – only for Toon to brand the Frenchman a barely Championship-level player. Barry Silkman is a former footballer who turned out for clubs including Manchester City, Brentford and Crystal Palace.
![[Zinedine Zidane of Juventus celebrating a goal.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/zinedine-zidane-juventus-celebrating-goal-669035427.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
He went on to become one of the beautiful game’s top transfer gurus, facilitating moves for numerous big names. Silkman worked with aces including Jaap Stam, Micah Richards, Tomas Soucek and Yakubu during a glittering career. But he also came close to sealing one of the biggest transfers in history.
![[Barry Silkman at the PFA Player of the Year Awards.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/NINTCHDBPICT000642242418.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
In 1996, Silkman fell head over heels for midfield playmaker Zidane – then at French side Bordeaux. The ace would go on to become a superstar for Juventus and Real Madrid, winning three titles and a Champions League while also leading France to World Cup glory in 1998.
![[Book cover: Not So Secret Football Agent by Barry Silkman.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/NINTCHDBPICT000965517416.jpg?strip=all&w=344)
At the time, Silkman had a good relationship with Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan and offered Zidane to the Magpies’ manager. However, he was left stunned when Keegan turned down the opportunity to sign Zidane for a bargain £1.2million. The Newcastle gaffer had been informed by his chief scout that Zizou was hardly good enough for Wolves – who were bottom of the Championship at the time.
![[Kevin Keegan in a Newcastle United jersey at St. James' Park.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/undated-c93-2086-89592.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS. But years later, Keegan admitted to Silkman that he should have listened after seeing Zidane blossom into an all-time great. Writing in his book, ‘The Not-So Secret Football Agent’, Silkman said: “I was alerted to the talent of a 24-year-old attacking midfielder at Bordeaux and I went along to watch him.
![[Zinedine Zidane holding the World Cup trophy.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/french-striker-zinedine-zidane-holds-775786645.jpg?strip=all&w=615)
