Newcastle set to raid yet another French club

The shock that has reverberated around the footballing community today was unparalleled as Newcastle United prepare to lure a player currently plying their trade in the French league.

Those that read the Mirror Football's report must have taken a minute to register the shock and spent some quiet time alone in a dark room. Nobody could have ever seen this coming during all the upcoming twists and turns of the 2013 summer transfer window. Newcastle buying a player from Ligue 1? Unthinkable.

Alan Pardew has seemingly pointed his hairy face in the direction of Lille's Cameroonian defender Aurelien Chedjou in order to bolster his razor thin options in defence. Newcastle will certainly be hoping that Chedjou could be a cut above the rest and give Pardew a number one defensive option next season.

Having brushed with the idea of relegation this season it seems Pardew has spent plenty of time in front of the mirror not only growing his face fungus but also contemplating defensive targets for next season's campaign.

Surely the time will soon come for France to place the country under lock-down and reject any Geordie who wishes to enter through the country's borders. The only surprise from today's transfer rumour is that Ligue 1 haven't named Newcastle as the league's biggest sponsor and feeder club for next season...

Tomos Llewellyn @tomllew