Newcastle United have made an inquiry for the unsettled Lyon striker Bafetimbi Gomis in an effort to strengthen a front line depleted by the loss of Demba Ba in the January transfer window and growing doubt over the future of Papiss Cissé. Gomis, who is seemingly looking for a way out of Lyon with just a single year remaining on his contract, has scored more than 100 goals in Ligue 1 with Saint-Etienne, Troyes and Lyon, and has 12 France caps.
Alan Pardew, said: "We have expressed an interest in Gomis. We think that he's a player who has great potential. He's a French international who's played at the highest level for his club and we're perusing it."
While Pardew is looking to increase his attacking options, he also confirmed that there may well be exits from St James' Park before the transfer window closes. "We are trying to strengthen our attacking area. In midfield and at the back we are comfortable. I really feel there will be a player or two who moves on because of a little overload in midfield."
Newcastle suffered their first defeat of pre-season on Saturday, losing 3-1 in Portugal to Rio Ave, with Shola Ameobi scoring their only goal. PA
The Brazilian left-back Andre Santos has been released by Arsenal and has returned home to join Flamengo. The 30-year-old, who signed from Fenerbahce for £6.8m in August 2011, struggled to claim a regular place in the Arsenal team after an early knee injury.
Last season he played 12 times before falling down the pecking order behind Kieran Gibbs, and, following the £8.5m signing of Nacho Monreal on the final day of January's transfer window, moved to Gremio on loan. He has now returned to the Campeonato Brasileiro with Flamengo, for whom he played 22 matches while on loan from Figueirense during 2005-06. PA
Holloway left frustratedThe Crystal Palace manager, Ian Holloway, is finding the transfer market much tougher than when he was promoted with Blackpool three years ago, after being frustrated in bids for several attacking players.
The veteran striker Kevin Phillips yesterday became the club's fifth summer signing, but Holloway is aware that more work is needed to build his squad. He said: "I am watching players and players and players and players and players until I get that balance I want. But I'm finding out how even more difficult it is compared to last time because of the zillions of extra quid that everybody's got. But my chairman is a bright fella and learning very, very quickly."
Palace fielded four triallists in yesterday's 2-1 friendly win against Dagenham & Redbridge, including the Austrian striker Atdhe Nuhiu. PA
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