Newcastle United are 18^th in the Premier League and although they are only two points from safety, Steve McLaren will be targeting some new faces to give the team a lift this winter.

At the start of the month, The Chronicle reported that Girondins de Bordeaux midfielder Henri Saivet was a target for the club, and now today, French site Foot Mercato revealed that a source close to the player said that Saivet was in talks with the English club.

The 25-year-old has played 17 games in Ligue 1 this season, scoring twice. He was also Bordeaux’s best player when the French club lost 2-1 to Liverpool at Anfield – not just because he scored at the Kop end.

Video of Saivet's goal. 0-1 #LFCFCGB pic.twitter.com/16WrQrsnBy

— FFW (@FrenchFtWeekly) November 26, 2015

It has been under the coaching of Willy Sagnol that Saivet has been converted from a left-winger to a central midfielder. With his athleticism, reading of the game and strong physique, he has taken to the move like a duck to water.

Bordeaux are apparently looking for around €4 million for the Senegalese international. He has been one of Les Girondins best players this season – so it would be a huge loss for the club.

COURBIS COURTED BY SWANSEA AND NEWCASTLE

Since he resigned as the coach of Montpellier last month, it was understood that Rolland Courbis was going to take a break from football. However, local paper Midi-Libre has reported today that the 62-year-old is being tracked by two English clubs.

Swansea, still looking for a manager after sacking Garry Monk, and Newcastle United – apparently as NUFC are considering the idea of replacing Steve McLaren. Both clubs are fighting to avoid relegation, and Courbis has done a great job turning Montpellier away from the bottom three in France this season.

One look at the position of Remi Garde at Aston Villa may put other clubs off pursuing a French coach with their position so perilous at this stage of the season.