PIF could unearth NUFC's new Papiss Cisse in 17 G/A dynamo, he's a match-winner - opinion

An update has emerged on Newcastle United’s interest in Lyon forward Karl Toko Ekambi…

According to Calcio Mercato, the Magpies are eyeing up a swoop for the attacker ahead of the summer transfer window.

They failed to bring in another striker on deadline day in January as a deal for Hugo Ekitike fell through, with Eddie Howe unable to add more depth to his options at the top end of the pitch.

PIF could unearth Newcastle’s new Papiss Cisse by securing a deal to sign the Ligue 1 centre-forward at the end of the season.

Cisse scored 44 goals and provided ten assists in 131 matches for the Magpies, whilst he also scored 17 goals in 37 caps for Senegal. The forward was sublime throughout his time on Tyneside and Howe could find his own like-minded goalscorer in Ekambi, with both players being strikers who are able to score and create – instead of being pure poachers in the box.

He has been in fine form for Lyon in all competitions term, with 11 goals and six assists in 23 league matches for the French outfit – contributing directly to a goal more than once every other game. This comes after he managed 14 strikes and nine assists in 34 Ligue 1 outings last term.

Ekambi has proven he can be a match-winner at the top level as he has shown that he is able to score and create goals on a regular basis, much like Cisse was when he was at St. James’ Park. The dynamo also managed 16 goals and four assists in La Liga with Villarreal prior to his spell with Lyon, showing that he is able to adapt to new leagues and countries and that suggests that he may be able to adjust to playing in the Premier League.

He truly burst onto the scene in France, though, and that is where Cisse first found his goalscoring touch at senior level too. The