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Newcastle United scouted Marseille hitman Michy Batshuayi again over the weekend as the Magpies continue to monitor the progress of the Belgium international.

The 22-year-old has netted 11 goals in 19 Ligue 1 appearances this season and United are keen admirers of the forward.

A move in January appears highly unlikely though as United would be reluctant to meet the £21million fee Marseille are believed to be looking for.

Such a fee would see Newcastle have to break their transfer record in order to secure Batshauyi’s signature.

However, with the forward having a host of admirers around Europe - including the likes of Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur - Newcastle could risk seeing his price inflate further should the Belgian continue to find the back of the net between now and the summer.

United’s scouts were in attendance at the Nouveau Stade Bordeaux on Sunday evening to watch Marseille draw 1-1 with Bordeaux, but Batshuayi failed to hit the target.

The two-cap Belgium international did have three shots on goal as he played the full 90 minutes, though one of them was wide and the other two were well saved.

Batshuayi remains a raw talent, but his goalscoring ability ensures United remain keen to keep tabs on his progress.

Steve McClaren is keen to add another forward to his ranks, particularly given that doubts remains over whether Emmanuel Riviere and Papiss Cisse will stay on Tyneside past next month’s window.

Charlie Austin and Andy Carroll are just two other forwards whose names are understood to have been mentioned in the United boardroom in recent months.

Marseille president Vincent Labrune wants to keep hold of his prize asset, but he accepts that should someone come calling with a significant financial package then the Ligue 1 outfit would be forced to sell.

Speaking earlier this month, Labrune said: “If I could offer him (Batshuayi) 700,000 Euros a month, I would, but that’s impossible.

“If you go in the Champions League next year, and that Michy wants to stay one more season, it would be a pleasure.”

Newcastle’s scouts also watched a familiar face in action in south west France, with Remy Cabella playing in the No 10 role for the visitors.

The United loanee’s move to Marseille should become permanent within the coming days.

There is a clause in Cabella’s contract that means his move will automatically become permanent after a set number of games - a mark that is already understood to have been passed.