Newcastle's long and arduous attempts to bring out-of-contract French striker Bafetimbi Gomis to St. James' Park look finally to be over - though it's not the good news The Magpies will have hoped to hear. Reports from the French media (via The Express) claim the 28-year-old Lyon forward has instead opted to join Swansea City, a move that is on the verge of completion. He could make his free transfer switch as early as the next few days when he is expected in Wales for a medical and to pun pen to paper on a three year deal. Newcastle had been chasing Gomis for over a year and were recently suggested to have offered a whopping £75,000 per week salary to secure his services. Recently the player's agent Wille Mackay revealed that as many as five Premier League clubs were keen to sign the forward with Newcastle mentioned along with West Ham United, Swansea and Sunderland. The Swans have also been credited with a long interest in acquiring Gomis. Last year they looked close to signing him before instead bringing in Wilfred Bony, who now could be on his way out of the Liberty Stadium with Gomis a likely replacement. Where Newcastle turn their attention for their next striker target is unclear. Frequent media reports suggest Newcastle's attempts to sign Hertha Berlin forward Pierre-Michel Lasogga will also prove fruitless.