Striker deal done?

Newcastle have all but secured the services of a long time transfer target according to selected pundits and press-packers, although a name is understandably yet to be confirmed.

Alan Brazil commented on his radio show yesterday and insisted that a deal to bring in a striker from France was "100% done" although I remain sceptical until something turns up on the official website. However since then several other people have latched on to it and seem to go along with what Brazil was saying, including Mark Douglas who I personally hold in very high regard when it comes to transfer targets and speculation. Hi Mark...

Of course the name that everyone expects it to be will be that of Modibo Maiga who despite being in a fine run of form is still unable to shake off the Sochaux boo boys after his antics in the summer where he effectively refused to play for the club as they didn't accept a deal for him to leave the club.

While Maiga might be the overwhelming favourite in terms if adding a striker, he isn't the only candidate. I only say this because Newcastle have a habit of pulling something unexpected out of the hat in terms of transfers, so should we expect this alleged one to be any different?

While Liverpool turn to Tyneside for all of their scouting needs, we tend to turn to France. That in turn means that there is a fairly long list of French players or players based in France that we've been liked with. Mevlut Eridinc is one and Nolan Roux is another. Moussa Sow..... You get the point.

I'm hopeful that there is a striker lined up for January. In fact I'm hopeful that there is a striker and defender lined up for January if truth be told. To me, if we get both, then we will have a very good squad with options all over the pitch. That, in only our second season back in the Premier League, would be cracking.

Time will tell of course as transfer windows usually leave a bitter after taste in the mouth of NUFC fans, initially anyway, and there is always a chance we could see players sold aswell as brought in. However it's important not to get too downhearted when a player leaves, even though it's tough not to at times. I think the replacements we've found have been more than adequate and I think the club have earned our trust a little bit on that. They've earned mine anyway.

What do you make of it though? Do you think the rumours are true? Do you think it's Maiga or someone else? What do you want to see in January?