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When Newcastle United lost to relegation bunkmate Reading on Saturday, it was speculated that one of two things would happen:
1 - Alan Pardew would be sacked, multiple players would leave, all of NUFC's transfer targets would get cold feet, and the club would go into a tailspin.
2 - Mike Ashley, not wanting to pay Alan Pardew for the next 8 years if he's not working, would double down and instruct his manager to go get as many players as possible. (The tailspin is still on the table, however.)
It appears that Plan #2 has come to fruition. Pardew is now playing a game to see if he can make a deal with every French club before the deadline. After speculation that center back Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa's flight would take a last-second turn toward London, it is understood that he is currently undergoing a medical at Benton.
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa believed to be undergoing medical #nufc
— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) January 22, 2013
Great news, right? Wait, there's more! We all learned of Newcastle's serious interest in Bordeaux striker Yoan Gouffran less than 24 hours ago, and after an initial rebuff from the French club, he is now apparently headed to Newcastle as well.
Understand that Yoan Gouffran is on his way to Tyneside. #nufc
— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) January 22, 2013
Additionally, Toulouse midfielder Moussa Sissoko has apparently already undergone his medical, according to The Daily Mail. Sissoko has long been associated with Newcastle, but it was feared that Harry Redknapp might poach yet another Toon target at the last second. It appears that Pardew is on his way to getting Sissoko across the line.
Finally, in a world where day-old news qualifies as old, here is the old news: Newcastle have agreed a fee with Nancy over defender Massadio Haidara. (The Guardian) At this point it is not known where club and player stand in their negotiations. I like to imagine that Haidara is simply waiting in the outer office while the club clerk finishes up with Sissoko.
We'll have more news as it breaks, including in-depth profiles of each of Newcastle's new signings.