Mo Diame should have been a Premier League champion with Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson had identified him as the man to replace contract rebel Paul Pogba in the summer of 2012.
Diame’s dream, however, was shattered when United withdrew their interest after learning of the player’s heart condition, a problem which, after six months of hospital visits as a 19-year-old, had seen him released by French club RC Lens before rebuilding his career in the Spanish third division.
That is why the Newcastle midfielder will make contact with Sunderland adversary Patrick van Aanholt this week after revelations about his cardiac concerns.