Newcastle Midfield Duo Targeted By French Clubs

Gabriel Obertan and Yoan Gouffran look set to return to France before the transfer window shuts with both Saint-Etienne and Nantes monitoring their Newcastle United situations. Strangely, Obertan has started all three of the Magpies' Barclays Premier League games so far this season, yet The Daily Star claim that Steve McClaren is open to allowing the winger to leave. Florian Thauvin's arrival from Marseille has not only put Obertan's future in doubt though, it has also called into question how long Gouffran will remain in the North East, with the former Bordeaux forward having failed to play a single minute of league football so far in 2015-16.

Obertan, 26, was regarded as one of the most-promising youngsters when he too played for France, but his transfer to Manchester United simply did not work out. After scoring just once in 28 appearances over two seasons, Obertan signed for Newcastle in 2011 and has netted three times in 72 games since. Gouffran, meanwhile, scored an impressive 40 goals in 178 games for Bordeaux from a wide position between 2008 and January 2013, when Newcastle brought him to the Premier League. Although life on Tyneside started promisingly for Gouffran, just 12 goals in 88 appearances to date have forced him out of the first-team picture and it now looks likely that the 29-year-old will move on for pastures new. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCulture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.