Newcastle United are well placed to close a deal for Marseille striker Loic Remy ahead of Premier League rivals.

The London Evening Standard says Arsenal, Chelsea and QPR are all believed to be keen on a move for the 25-year-old France international but they will face further competition from the Magpies, whose boss Alan Pardew is steeling himself for another month of uncertainty over current leading scorer Demba Ba.

As the London trio consider their options ahead of a bid during the January transfer window, Remy recently admitted in an interview with a French TV company that the Gunners would be his preferred destination.