Report: Newcastle United open talks to sign Alassane Plea

Newcastle United have entered talks with Nice over the summer signing of French forward Alassane Plea, according to a report.

Plea is also rumoured to be a target for fellow Premier League clubs Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Fulham.

West Ham are said to have already had an offer of up to £27m knocked back, and Sky Sports News suggests that Newcastle have now entered the race.

The 27-year-old missed Nice's first day of pre-season training on Monday in an apparent bid to force through a move, but the French side are refusing to sell on the cheap.

Former Lyon man Plea scored 21 times in Ligue 1 last season to help the Eagles to an eighth-place finish.