Montpellier defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa returned to France last night.
The Daily Mail says Yanga-Mbiwa, one player already lined up as a potential replacement for Fabricio Coloccini, is now back in France after Newcastle agreed a £6m fee with Montpellier over the weekend.
The defender is one of a number of French-based targets identified by chief scout Graham Carr.
Newcastle are hoping to sign the defender ahead of Arsenal.