Bony the latest target on the Newcastle radar

Newcastle were criticised for a lack of activity in the Summer transfer window and it appears much to the dismay of Arsene Wenger that they will be well and truly making up for it in January, with The Telegraph reporting that Wilfried Bony is the latest target.

The Magpies have already added four players this window whilst a deal for a fifth (Massadio Haidara) is believed to be close, with Newcastle's scouting network seemingly intent on bringing half of France to the club.

The interest in Bony does at least prove that their scouts do know a world beyond France, with the Ivory Coast International currently playing his trade with Vitesse Arnhem. He has been in free scoring mode this year and tops the Dutch scoring charts with 16 goals and it would seem that Alan Pardew is still looking for a replacement for Demba Ba, rather than taking a chance on Papiss Cisse rediscovering the form that saw him take the League by storm at the back end of last year.

Whilst Bony might not be based in France he is still French speaking and despite caution being shown this week by both Gerard Houllier and Steed Malbranque in regards to Newcastle's transfer policy, it would seem that Pardew has no worries over this approach. Sammy Ameobi joked on Twitter that he had better start taking French classes and although that might have been in jest, Pardeaux will need some strong man management to ensure there is not an inevitable division of camps. Without question though these are all good players and if the squad can be kept united then The Magpies should soon push away from trouble.

Bony would not be available until the African Cup of Nations is over given the Ivory Coast's likely progress which might put doubts over Newcastle's interest, although the signing of Cisse last term suggests its a risk worth taking. Without question they need goals right now and bringing in a player bang on form might just give them the momentum they need to move up the league.