Newcastle United are close to a deal for Nancy fullback Massadio Haidara.

The Daily Star Sunday says the Geordies hope to clinch a £3million deal this week.

Toon scouts have been eyeing Haidara as an alternative target to Blackburn's Sweden left-back Martin Olsson and sources in France also claim there has been interest from Aston Villa and Everton.

But Alan Pardew is determined to land Haidara, 20, after losing out to QPR for Marseille's France striker Loic Remy.