Newcastle eying up French international strikers

Could Bafetimbi Gomis be the latest French recruit for Newcastle?

According to Sky Sports, Newcastle are set to increase the number of French players at the club by two, as the Magpies eye swoops for Lyon’s Bafetimbi Gomis and QPR’s Loic Remy.

The Newcastle squad is so full of French players that the club are believed to be set to sample ‘Fog on the Tyne’, with a new version called ‘Fog on the Seine’.

Revolution

Some spectators have called it a French revolution at St James Park. However, last season’s French imports did not all prove hugely successful, but neither did their teammates.

There are currently ten French players in the Newcastle squad and a number of them are still finding their feet in England.

Some of those players are more French flans, than French fancies. The likes of Yohan Cabaye and Moussa Sissoko have proved to be successful, while Hatem Ben Arfa could be forgiven for his poor form last season due to injury troubles and other issues.

The likes of Yoan Gouffran and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa have shown flashes of why the Magpies brought them in. A few of their compatriots have yet to convince at St James Park though.

Quality

Some of the French players that have arrived at Newcastle in the last few years have not been the best of quality. However, I do believe that Gomis and Remy are two very good players.

Both players are French internationals and are capable of scoring goals. I do not think either would be a terrible buy for Newcastle.

Impact

When Remy signed for QPR in the January transfer window he made a big impact for the Hoops, despite his team being relegated at the end of the season. Remy also came close to moving to Newcastle in January.

If reports are to be believed then Remy favoured a move to QPR, over a move to Newcastle. The cynics have claimed that he made the move because the Hoops were offering more money than Newcastle.

That may be the case, but if he arrives at St James Park and scores goals for the Magpies, I am sure that whole debacle will be forgotten about very quickly. It looks unlikely that Remy will remain at Loftus Road and play in the Championship in the new season.

With the World Cup less than a year away and Remy hoping to be in Les Bleus squad for the big event in Brazil, I very much doubt that he will be wanting to be at a second tier English club when the transfer window closes.

A season-long loan move for the striker has been mooted, with the chance of a permanent move next summer. I think he could be a very good signing for the Magpies, especially on-loan, with little or no-fee involved.

‘Baby Drogba’

Bafetimbi Gomis has been dubbed ‘Little Drogba’ or ‘Baby Drogba’ in the past because of his build and his style of play. It may be remiss to compare him with the Chelsea great, but he is still a very powerful and physically imposing striker.

Gomis does score goals and has a very decent goal to game ratio with Lyon. The striker has a goal ratio of better than a goal every three games throughout his career, which is not bad for the striker who has played for St Etienne, ES Troyes AC and Lyon.

The Magpies are believed to have submitted a bid of around £6.9million for the striker, who has have missed a meeting with his club Lyon regarding his future. Everything points to Gomis moving on this summer and Newcastle could be his destination.

Strikers

One thing is for sure Newcastle need some new strikers and quickly. Last season the Magpies struggled for goals at times. Whether the new striker is French, English, or Martian it does not matter a jot.

Alan Pardew’s side simply need somebody that can put the ball into the back of the old onion net. Newcastle fans have been on tender hooks waiting for a big summer signing and it now seems that they will get one in near future.

Which strikers will Newcastle sign this summer?