Newcastle United are encouraged in their interest for St Etienne striker Jonathan Bamba.

Newcastle and Lille are both tracking the 21 year-old forward, who is in contract dispute with ASSE.

"It's a way of pressure from them and a negative message sent. We take note of it and it will not intimidate us or make us change our point of view.

"I think it's a lack of respect. If the interest of Jonathan is to stay in Saint-Etienne, he will remain, even if we are cold with the leaders," said the player's agent and brother Aboubakar Traoré.

Bamba has been withdrawn from the first team in recent games as contract talks have rumbled on.