MARSEILLE - AUGUST 8: Florian Thauvin of OM in action during the French Ligue 1 match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and SM Caen at Stade Velodrome on August 8, 2015 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
Florian Thauvin is expected to undergo a medical on Tyneside on Wednesday as he closes in on a big-money move to Newcastle.
It is understood the 22-year-old Marseille winger is due to head for the north east with the two clubs in advanced negotiations over a transfer the Magpies have targeted for some time.
Thauvin was identified as a potential signing by chief scout Graham Carr more than two years ago and the club has been monitoring his situation since.
However, managing director Lee Charnley has now made his move and head coach Steve McClaren will hope the deal can be pushed through after a mixed start to the new Barclays Premier League season.
McClaren was assured of significant investment in the squad when he accepted the job in June with owner Mike Ashley having signalled his intention to commit funds to the task of ensuring there is no repeat of last season's desperate fight for top-flight survival.
The arrivals of Georginio Wijnaldum, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Chancel Mbemba have gone some of the way to fulfilling that mission, but McClaren indicated last week that he was hopeful of further additions, and Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Swansea illustrated the club's enduring need for reinforcements.
Newcastle have turned to left winger Thauvin in a bid to to inject pace and invention into the team and create a fresh supply line for strikers Papiss Cisse and Mitrovic, as well as attacking midfielders Wijnaldum, Moussa Sissoko and, when he is fit, Siem de Jong.
Compatriot Remy Cabella, who has struggled to adapt to the physicality of English football, could head in the opposite direction with reports in France suggesting Marseille want to take him on an initial loan with a view to a permanent switch as part of the deal.
However, the negotiations are understood to be delicate and as yet, incomplete.
The Magpies look set to go to the wire once again as they attempt to complete their business before the transfer deadline with a striker - they have spent much of the summer trailing QPR striker Charlie Austin - and defenders still on McClaren's wish-list.
They have taken just a single point from the opening two league fixtures - they drew 2-2 with Southampton at St James' Park during the opening weekend of the campaign - and travel to Manchester United on Saturday before welcoming Arsenal to Tyneside.
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