Newcastle United have confirmed they are closing in on the signing of Bordeaux midfielder Henri Saivet, after the player arrived in England to agree terms and complete a medical.

Saivet, 25, has been tipped to join the Magpies – who have had a strong recent history of buying from Ligue 1 – for a number of weeks. On Monday Bordeaux manager Willy Sagnol confirmed that a deal was in place, before counterpart Steve McClaren revealed that only the formalities remain.

The deal is reported to be worth around €6 million (£4.5m).

“He’s in the building,” McClaren said. "When it's confirmed we will talk about his assets and what he will bring."

Saivet was born in Senegal but joined Bordeaux as a junior, eventually becoming the youngest player in the club’s history when he made his debut as a 17-year-old in 2007.

Predominantly a wide player, Saivet has played more centrally this season – offering McClaren some versatility in the final third as Newcastle bid to avoid relegation this season.

Sagnol admitted that it would be a blow to lose the player, but the club felt they could not stand in his way.

“Saivet wanted to the leave the club, he needed a new challenge,” Sagnol said. “He was here for a long time.

"I gave my consent to his departure. It will have an impact because he is a good player. For me, Saviet was our most important player for the first six months.

“Others must seize their chance. He will be greatly missed.”

Source: Nigeria Films