St James’ Park side ready to welcome Ligue 1 duo.
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It appears that Newcastle United continue to plan their shopping expeditions in Ligue 1 as the St James’ Park side reportedly close in on a £25m deal to sign Saint-Etienne pair Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Kurt Zouma.
Some may have expected the Magpies transfer policy to shift somewhat following the arrival of Joe Kinnear as the club’s Director of Football but it seems that the North-East side are still keen to bring in talents from the French top tier.
Gabon striker Aubameyang, who netted 21 goals in all competitions last term, has talked up the prospect of a move to Newcastle United stating;
‘I will choose England before any other destination.
‘My dream has always been to play in one of the top two leagues in the world.
‘Newcastle is a good club and St James’s Park is a monumental stadium where there is passionate fans.’
Alan Pardew may see the former AC Milan man as an ideal long term replacement for Demba Ba, with Newcastle United having not adequately filled the void left by the Senegal international’s January move to Chelsea.
Newcastle United may also feel the need to strengthen their defence and teenage centre-back Kurt Zouma has been strongly linked with a Saint-Etienne exit. The 18 year old has already made nearly 50 club appearances and has been capped at French Under 20 international level.
Having seen his side struggle at the wrong end of the Premier League last term Pardew will no doubt be very excited about the prospect of the arrival of players of the calibre and potential of this young duo.