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After completing the signing of Mathieu Debuchy and missing out on Loic Remy to QPR, it seems Newcastle United are set to go into transfer window hyper-drive and could complete the signing of three players in the next 24-48 hours.

All three currently play in France’s Ligue 1 and the question from the Toon Army fans is: Are these players going to keep us in the Premier League?

We asked French football expert Andrew Gibney to give us the lowdown on Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Yoan Gouffran and Massadio Haidara.

Massadio Haidara, 20, left back

(Image: Getty)

This French Under-20 international has quickly become one of the most promising young defenders in Ligue 1. Playing at struggling AS Nancy has not been easy for Haidara this season, but with plenty still to learn this is definitely more a move for the future than for Newcastle’s present.

What Haidara brings is an energy and enthusiasm for the game that has seen him become one of Nancy’s best players in the last two years.

Last season as Nancy surprised everyone by finishing 11th it was Haidara along with Bakaye Traore, Lossemy Karaboue and Yohan Mollo that impressed the fans with their own brand of high-tempo fast break football, a style that saw them beat Paris-Saint Germain home and away.

Unfortunately Haidara will be the third of that quartet to leave and it’s no surprise that Nancy are really struggling this season.

An attacking full-back who loves to break forward and exploit any space down the wing, Haidara has all the elements in his game to become a top player. His positioning needs work, his decision making and final ball will improve as he gets older, the only problem may be a lack of games at an important stage in his career.

How good Haidara becomes will depend on how often he can play at St James’ Park.

Yoan Gouffran, 26, forward

(Image: Getty)

So how far down the list did Alan Pardew go before coming across the name Gouffran?

After missing out on the Remy deal and reading that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had declared his services at Saint-Etienne for the rest of the season, Newcastle are now turning to their third or pehaps even fourth choice.

It’s easy to see why the move interests Newcastle. After scoring 14 league goals last season he found himself on a few teams' radars.

Then an impressive showing in the Europa League against Newcastle would have Pardew and co on red alert. He has since scored another eight league goals as well. But what has kick started the move now is the fact that his contract is up in the summer. Bordeaux don’t want to lose him on a free, so are listening to offers, a seven figure bid should see the Frenchman sign.

After starting as a young exciting winger at Caen he moved to Bordeaux in 2008 looking to take the next step in his career. He struggled for goals, only scoring nine in the first three seasons.

Last season was by far his best, showing pace as a lone frontman, predatory instincts in front of goal and a desire to work really hard at leading the line and providing a goal threat for his club.

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However there are reservations with Gouffran: he has looked good for 18 months in Ligue 1, but struggled before finding his shooting boots. From watching him progress at Caen to being Bordeaux’s main goal threat, there is a feeling that Ligue 1 is his level.

Questions remain over his pace and whether it would be effective in the Premier League, would he be as effective as an instinctive goal scorer? The jury is still out.

For less than £1 million you usually can’t go wrong, but when you need a striker to fill the boots of Demba Ba, it could be too much for Gouffran to handle.

Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, 23, centre back

This kid is the real deal. He is a French international, has won the French championship, played in the Champions League and become one of the best defenders of his generation. Oh and he’s also played over 160 games for his club before his 24th birthday.

A big and powerful frame, strong physically, very quick along the ground and the ability to bring the ball out the defence in a powerful and confident style.

He is good in the air for someone who is only six feet tall, he makes up for the (relative) lack of height with his extremely athletic agility. Physically there is no position in which he has to improve; he has the right mix of everything, that’s what makes him so exciting.

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On the ball he is very confident. He has the ability to bring it out of defence and push forward with the look of a defensive midfielder - almost Patrick Vieira-esque.

He can get his head up and pick a pass, he shows great range in his passing ability and was a key component in the success that Olivier Giroud had in his last season at Montpellier.

While coming through the ranks he often played as a full-back and with his ability on the ball and sheer speed and capability to cover so much ground, he impressed as much as a full-back as he did as a central defender.

Last season as Montpellier shocked Europe by winning Le Championnat, it was Yanga-Mbiwa as well as Giroud that formed one of the most impressive front to back partnerships in Ligue 1.

Arsene Wenger has long been an admirer of MYM’s talents and he looks like the type of player that would suit Arsenal’s style of play.

However, up in Newcastle there is no doubt he will fit in perfectly. The French contingent will help him feel at home, whether he’s a replacement for Mike Williamson or Fabricio Coloccini remains to be seen, either way he is going to improve the Newcastle defence as soon as he pulls on the black and white stripes.

Follow Andrew on twitter @AGibneyftbl