Newcastle edging closer to sealing £2.9m midfielder deal

Newcastle United are reportedly edging closer to sealing the signing of Senegal international Henri Saivet for £2.9m.

The Premier League club, who lie two points adrift of safety in the bottom three following their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at the weekend, have begun talks with Bordeaux over a January transfer for the midfielder.

The 25-year-old, who has 14 international caps for his country, has scored four goals in 26 appearances in all competitions for the Ligue 1 side so far this season.

Saivet, who has been at Bordeaux since 2002, was also attracting interest from top-flight rivals Southampton, although it now seems Magpies boss Steve McClaren has bagged his transfer target early in the January window.