For a third consecutive year it appears Newcastle's recruitment remit will have a distinct Gallic flavour with another French player reported to be on our radar today. This time it is Nampalys Mendy (above, right) is the name being mentioned in the same breadth as the Magpies with France Football suggesting we've sent scouts to watch the highly-impressive 21-year-old in action at varying stages of the season. Mendy continues to forge a burgeoning reputation across the channel having captained Monaco to the Ligue 2 title before he joined Nice on a free transfer and was influential in keeping Les Aiglons in France's top division by the skin of their teeth last term. It's understood a number of Premier League clubs carry an interest in the defensive midfielder, who has played over 100 games in Ligue 1 and has been labelled as a future captain of his country although he is yet to make the step up from under-21 to senior level. He's even drawn comparisons with Chelsea legend Claude Makelele for his peerless positional sense that allows him to break up opposition attacks. What marks him out, however, is the competitive edge that defines his game and he rarely loses a physical tussle despite his small stature. A possible heir to Cheick Tiote's throne? Possibly but given the decline endured by Gael Bigirimana - the original successor to Tiote - theres a chance Mendy could balk at a move to Tyneside.
