Newcastle United midfielder Moussa Sissoko has urged director of football Joe Kinnear to resurrect a deal for Lyon striker Bafetimbi Gomis.
The Magpies have chased Gomis for much of the summer but talks have reached deadlock, with Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas refusing to let the forward go for less than £7m.
Sissoko revealed that he has spoken with Gomis and wants the poacher at St James' Park, declaring that the French international would be a strong addition to Alan Pardew's squad.
He told the Daily Mail: "Bafe Gomis is my friend and he says to me that he wants to come to Newcastle, but it is not easy with the president [of Lyon] or an agent.
"I don't know if it's finished yet or not. If he comes here, it is a very good move for him. I will keep the message the same to him, we would like him to come to Newcastle. Maybe I will talk to him this week again.
"Newcastle are a very good team and now we have to show it. The team is feeling good ahead of Manchester City. We have one of the toughest games you could have on the first game of the season but if I play well and hard maybe we can win there."
Pardew's side have added just one player to their ranks during the close season, bringing in Loic Remy from Queens Park Rangers in a season-long loan move.
Liam Power
