Get the latest NUFC transfer and takeover news straight to your inbox for FREE by signing up to our newsletter Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Newcastle United look set for a return to the French market this month if Alan Pardew does bring in fresh blood. Highly-respected French newspaper L’Equipe last night strongly insisted the club had recently scouted Lyon midfielder Gueida Fofana (pictured left) and Sochaux striker Cedric Bakambu.

And while Monday night’s Fans Forum meeting indicated that there was a chance that nothing would be done this month, both players perfectly fit the bill

Newcastle were first mentioned with the 22-year-old Fofana, a natural defensive midfielder who can play in a number of positions, three months ago. Bakambu, also 22, will be allowed to leave his club this transfer window in a bid to raise funds for Sochaux, who are second bottom of Ligue 1.

A fee of close to £3million has been touted for the young and powerful striker, who has scored six goals this season.

Pardew has been keen to get in a centre-forward with a bit or presence as he feels this type of player would benefit both Loic Remy and Papiss Cisse.

Fofana is highly rated in France and has also been linked with Marseille and German outfit Stuttgart.

He would cost somewhere in the region of £5m-plus if Newcastle did make a move, although Lyon have said recently that they would like to offer him a new extended contract.

Fofana won the French Cup with Lyon in 2012.

Pardew, Graham Carr and Joe Kinnear were due to meet in London yesterday to discuss potential transfer targets for this month and the summer.

If any business is to be done, then it should come as no surprise that the club will again look to France, where they have done well before.

However, Newcastle have also turned their attention to Spanish football. United scouts have been seen at La Liga games this season.