EXCLUSIVE By Pete O’Rourke

Brentford are plotting a move to sign former Newcastle striker Emmanuel Riviere on a free transfer, Football Insider understands.

Versatile forward Riviere is a free agent after leaving French side Metz at the end of last season.

A Brentford source has told Football Insider the club have set their sights on the 29-year-old as they look to strengthen their attack for the new Championship campaign.

The London outfit are looking to bolster their attacking options after failing to replace Neal Maupay before the transfer window closed for Championship clubs earlier this month.

The Bees have scored just two goals in their opening three Championship games and they would be able to sign Riviere as he is a free agent.

The 29-year-old had a disappointing three-year spell at Newcastle between 2014 to 2017 after joining from Monaco.

Riviere scored only three goals in 31 appearances for the north-east giants and had a spell out on loan at Osasuna in Spain before leaving Tyneside on a permanent basis for Metz in the summer of 2017.

In other Newcastle United news, Danny Mills has told Football Insider that one senior star could be a “massive asset” for the club.