Gomis to be in Premier League shortly, but not at Newcastle

Lyon manager Remi Garde has reportedly said that striker Bafetimbi Gomis will be leaving the club shortly, but although it seems that he will be heading to the Premier League, Newcastle are thought to be out of the reckoning.

Newcastle could certainly do with some striking reinforcements before the season starts as there is little competition for Papiss Cisse and an offer of around £6.9m plus add-ons has already been rejected for Gomis.

However, Newcastle are said to be reluctant to improve on these terms and will now turn their attentions elsewhere, with QPR’s Loic Remy remaining on their shortlist, alongside Darren Bent.

There are some valid reasons for the decision, as this is a reasonable chunk of money for a player entering the last year of his contract, while it is thought that Gomis wants somewhere in the region of £75,000 a week in wages.

A failure to sign a striker would add further weight to the price of 1/2 that Newcastle finish in the bottom half of the Premier League standings again this season.

Gomis could have proved a useful recruit as his 16 Ligue 1 goals for Lyon last season equalled his best return of a single campaign, while he has netted at least 10 in each of the last three campaigns.

Newcastle may be out, but Lyon owner Jean-Michel Aulas has previously stated that he had received three offers from Premier League clubs for Gomis.

Coupled with Garde’s comments, one of these clubs must have been close to Lyon’s valuation of nearer £9m and Welsh duo Cardiff and Swansea are other sides that have previously been linked with the 27-year-old.

Both have already spent hefty sums on strikers this season, but Gomis could prove one half a big double French raid this summer from Cardiff as they also seem to be closing in on Toulouse’s talented midfielder Etienne Capoue.

Cardiff are 3/5 to stay up in the Premier League this season and either of these two signings would be provide a large boost to their prospects.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.