Saint-Etienne have told Newcastle and Bolton it will cost them £17 million to sign striker Bafe Gomis.

Toon owner Mike Ashley's scouting team think he is the answer to their prayers but their initial offer of £9m is around half of what Les Verts want for the homegrown star, dubbed the new Didier Drogba.

Bolton boss Gary Megson is also hot on the trail of Gomis, with around £8m to spend as he seeks a replacement for Nicolas Anelka, but Wanderers will not meet the asking price.