Report: Steve Nickson has held Newcastle talks with Ligue 1 midfielder

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The Chronicle have claimed that Newcastle United’s head of recruitment Steve Nickson has held talks to sign Nice midfielder Arnaud Lusamba on a free this summer, but face competition from Leicester City and other clubs.

Lusamba, 23, is out of contract this summer despite an important member of the Ligue 1 side Nice throughout the campaign. A former France Under-19 international, the midfielder has certainly caught the eye of numerous clubs.

Newcastle have held talks with head of recruitment Nickson already back to work despite an imminent takeover. Lusamba is represented by the same agency that completed a deal for Joelinton, and helped stage talks with Stanley N’Soki.

However, Leicester are also keen on Lusamba – as are Bordeaux, Strasbourg, Lyon and Werder Bremen. The interest in Lusamba comes as a Serie A side have tabled an offer for Toon youngster Matty Longstaff.

TBR’s view – Lusamba a decent addition for Newcastle

The Toon have proved in the past that luring French players to the Premier League can pay dividends. Yohan Cabaye, Hatem Ben Arfa, Moussa Sissoko and plenty more have all impressed since moving to Tyneside.

Lusamba certainly has the potential to do the same, though with the current takeover reportedly edging closer, it remains to be seen if the Toon will still want the Frenchman in the coming weeks. Certainly, on a free, he is a very decent addition.