Newcastle United chief Joe Kinnear says attempts to land Lyon striker Bafetimbi Gomis have been war-like.

Kinnear claimed Newcastle were in a "war" with regard to their move for Gomis.

He said: "We have agreed that deal on numerous occasions, but it's a very difficult situation at the moment because from one day to the next the goalposts are moved. There's always extra add-ons, there's always another problem, and there's always the problem of competition from other teams.

"Whatever I've offered that always goes public, so that alerts other teams that are interested in him.

"We're in a war at the moment where whatever I do someone comes in and bids above it. We're fighting hard. It's a battle we need to win, and we're very close to achieving that."