Ligue 1 signing to show Newcastle’s Premier League ambitions

Newcastle United’s hopes of securing a top six finish in the Premier League may hinge on their January transfer window business and the potential acquisition of Alexandre Lacazette.

Manager Alan Pardew could soon be searching for a new striker amid reports that Papiss Cisse is set to depart St James’ Park, with four clubs including Borussia Monchengladbach and Besiktas linked with a move for the 28-year-old.

Should the Senegal international opt for a move away from the English top flight then Newcastle could turn their attention to securing a replacement, with youngster Lacazette one potential option for the Toon Army.

The 22-year-old is highly regarded in France, having come through the ranks at the Olympique Lyonnais academy, registering 19 goals in 85 appearances for the Rhones-Alpes club’s senior side.

Lacazette is no stranger to Premier League transfer speculation either, having previously been linked with a move to Arsenal.

However with no formal bid tabled for the forward, the opportunity is there for the Magpies to make a move, with the attacker potentially tempted by a transfer to the club given the number of compatriots and international teammates on the books at St James’ Park.

And while the Gunners continue to be linked with the forward, Lacazette may prefer a move to a lesser club in the division, with Newcastle likely to offer the player more immediate first team football opportunities.

At Arsenal, meanwhile, the striker could potentially find his chances limited with Yaya Sanogo already occupying a similar role in the north London club’s squad.

The signing of Lacazette could also galvanise Newcastle’s season, with manager Alan Pardew still chasing the top six and keen to alleviate the focus and pressure on current main goalscorer Loic Remy.

Ladbrokes is offering odds of 16/1 on the Toon Army securing a finish in the top six this season, a bet that could prove particularly tempting should reinforcements arrive this month.

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

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