Newcastle United are in communication with Ligue 1 side FC Girondins de Bordeaux regarding Guinea international Francois Kamano, according to L’Equipe via Get French Football News.
The versatile attacker is thought to be on the market for €15million (£13.8m) and has been subject to interest from AS Monaco and Genoa this summer, but Bordeaux are pushing for a deal to be completed before the French top-flight season commences this weekend.
With Deadline Day underway for Premier League sides, Newcastle face a race against time to submit the necessary paperwork before the 17:00 shut off, but a path for Kamano to move to the North East is thought to be open as the Toon chase late attacking reinforcements.
Magpies scouts have been heavily involved in the French market looking for forwards this summer, with AS Monaco’s Rony Lopes another name linked with the club following OGC Nice star Allan Saint-Maximin’s arrival on Tyneside.
Les Monegasques are expected to demand €25million (£23m) for the two-time Portugal international, which would suggest Kamano has been targeted as a cheaper alternative to supplement Steve Bruce’s current strike force.
Kamano is also a slightly younger option having turned 23 in May, whereas Lopes turned 23 last December, and would be coming to United on the back of a stronger season.
The 23-cap Guinea international was involved in 17-goals last term across all competitions, with ten Ligue 1 strikes to his name in 37 games. Lopes, on the other hand, found the net twice in his 24 top-flight outings, amid a six-goal campaign (four scored, two assisted in all competitions).
Reports in France had linked United with interest in Kamano last November, too, as Toon scouts were said to have attended Bordeaux’s fixture against Dijon with a keen eye on the natural left-winger, who is capable of playing on the right or as the designated centre-forward.
The 2021-free agent found the net against Les Moutardes under the watchful eyes of Newcastle, Atletico Madrid, Burnley, Crystal Palace, Atalanta, AC Milan and Hannover that day, however his strike was ruled out through VAR.