Toon linked with African defender

Newcastle are being linked with a swoop for Montpellier defender Henri Bedimo, who is on his way to the Premier League.

The Cameroon international joined Montpellier from Lens last year and played an integral part as they went on to win the League title, but now he looks set to move on. The 28-year-old full back still has three years to run on his current deal but claims he will soon be joining a Premier League club with both the Magpies and Liverpool said to be interested. The French outfit will be demanding at least £5million for the player but it looks as though a deal may already be in place after Bedimo claimed his destination will soon be announced. "I'm going to play in England next season," the player revealed. "I'll announce where next week." France has been a happy hunting ground for Alan Pardew since he took charge at St James' Park and it will be interesting to see if Bedimo becomes his latest new signing.