Newcastle United can’t give up despite West Ham reportedly leading Jonathan Bamba chase

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West Ham United look set to beat Premier League rivals Newcastle United to the signature of St Etienne’s Ligue 1 star Jonathan Bamba.

It may only be March 1^st but Newcastle United could already be set for yet more transfer frustration.

FootMercato reported in July of last year that the Magpies were very keen on the exciting St Etienne winger Jonathan Bamba, who had just returned to the Stade Geoffrey Guichard after a fine loan spell at Ligue 1 rivals Caen.

With Bamba out of contract in the summer, Newcastle have continued to be linked with the France U21 international, who would add some much needed pace and creativity to Rafa Benitez’s rather goal-shy outfit.

But it seems that an inspired bargain deal for a long-standing target could be ruined by a Premier League rival.

The Sun reported in February that West Ham were hopeful of bringing the exciting St Etienne winger Jonathan Bamba to the London Stadium in the summer while Crystal Palace and Huddersfield Town were also interested.

And, according to But! Football Club, it looks likely that the 21-year-old will be wearing claret and blue next season, because West Ham, as things stand, are leading the race for a player who looks very unlikely now to extend his contract with St Etienne.

Newcastle, then, might have left it too late. It appears that they did not make any concrete moves for Bamba either last summer or in January, seemingly waiting for his deal to run out so they could snap him up on a free.

But they should not give up just yet. West Ham have not managed to tie Bamba down on a pre-contract agreement, meaning he is free as things stand to choose his next destination, so surely Rafa Benitez can convince Bamba that St James’ Park is the right place for him to develop.

The chances of first-team football at Newcastle look better after all with West Ham boasting far more proven Premier League talents in the final third, and the Magpies certainly have a history when it comes to French wingers, giving Bamba the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of David Ginola, Laurent Robert and Hatem Ben Arfa.

Furthermore, with money tight at St James’ Park, it is not often a player of Bamba’s talent and potential is available for free.