Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley made a personal check on St Etienne striker Pierre Emerick- Aubameyang last night.

The Evening Chronicle says French media sources spotted Ashley and chief scout Graham Carr in St Etienne at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard as he starred in the huge Ligue 1 clash against David Beckham's Paris Saint-Germain.

PSG went 2-0 up but the home side rallied to earn a 2-2 draw, Emerick- Aubameyang not among the scorers.

The player was impressed by the attendance of Ashley in France, with sources close to his agent revealing his admiration for the move.