Magpies cool on Cissokho

Sky Sports understands Newcastle United are not set to conclude a deal for Aly Cissokho.

Newcastle back off from deal

Sky Sports understands Newcastle United are not set to conclude a deal for Aly Cissokho. Lyon confirmed this week that they would be willing to listen to offers for the France international full-back. Arsenal and Newcastle have both been credited with strong interest in the 24-year-old. Sky Sports now understands that although the Magpies did have an interest in the player, they have now opted against a deal.

Defender

St James' Park sources also confirmed that talk of a medical were wide of the mark. The Magpies are understood to be looking for a new defender and they are believed to be keeping tabs on Cesena defender Yohan Benalouane. The 24-year-old Frenchman is believed to have been scouted last week during their Coppa Italia clash at Napoli. The Tunisian-born stopper was linked with Rangers and Celtic last year, but is now reportedly on Alan Pardew's radar.