Montpellier defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa completes move to Newcastle

Newcastle United have responded to their slide into the Barclays Premier League relegation fight with the signing of four more French players, which will take their total to 10.

Following the addition of £5million France full-back Mathieu Debuchy, Newcastle have now agreed deals for Montpellier captain Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, a central defender, Bordeaux striker Yoan Gouffran, who can play on the right and Nancy left-back Massadio Haidara for a combined £9million.

They are also close to announcing a pre-contract agreement for Toulouse midfielder Moussa Sissoko.

The deals, which are all expected to be completed and announced in the next 48 hours, will bring the number of first team French players at St James’s Park to 10. They are all outfield players (Newcastle have a Dutch and two English keepers).

The most significant of all the new deals is Yanga-Mbiwa who can play in all positions across the back four, as well as in the defensive midfield role.

The 23-year-old, who has been capped three times by France, could be viewed as the long-term replacement for captain Fabricio Coloccini, whose future at Newcastle remains unclear after two days of talks between the player and the club and both sets of lawyers.