Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa is unconcerned at the prospect of swapping reigning Ligue 1 champions Montpellier for Newcastle who lie two points above the Premier league relegation zone. Yanga-Mbiwa said: "I don't think it is a concern at the moment. Newcastle is a massive club and while we are not in an ideal position at the moment, I think we can definitely finish in the top half of the table.
"In the long term people talk about the top four in the Premier League and I think with the players we have got on board and the manager and his ideas, we can definitely close the gap, get in the top six and, in the long term, why not challenge for the title?"
The 23-year-old admitted he was convinced to sign his four-and-a-half-year deal by a growing number of French players already at the club.
"The way the club has welcomed French players was a very big part of my decision," added Yanga-Mbiwa.
"There are a lot of French players already which is something that will definitely help me settle in more quickly."
