According to RMC Sport journalist Mohamed Bouhafsi, Newcastle transfer target Michael Cuisance is set to join Marseille.

What's the word?

Reports in recent days had suggested that the Magpies remained interested in the Bayern Munich midfielder, with the Frenchman seeing a move to fellow Premier League side Leeds collapse at the final hour.

Now, Bouhafsi has shattered any hopes of Steve Bruce's side clinching the late signing of Cuisance, claiming that he is currently undergoing a medical at Marseille, and will join them on loan with an option to buy included.

Missed a huge Shelvey upgrade

Despite the impressive attacking additions Newcastle have made going forward in Ryan Fraser, and weekend hero Callum Wilson, the midfield is surely an area of concern for the Magpies.

Jeff Hendrick has been the sole addition to the engine room during this summer transfer window, whilst the current options that Bruce has at his disposal not the most creative or threatening when it comes to scoring or making goals - last season, the entire Magpies midfield managed just 10 Premier League goals between them.

In the £9m-rated Cuisance, they would have landed a massive upgrade on Jonjo Shelvey. The Frenchman is a real creative force, already earning rave reviews for his performances. His former coach at Borussia Monchengladbach, Dieter Hecking, described him as an "exceptional player for his age" and a "game-changer".

The 21-year-old is a strong ball-carrier, and whilst he may not be as prolific in terms of his dribbling like an Allan Saint-Maximin, he does have an impressive career average of 1.3 dribbles per game - more than double that of Shelvey. The Magpies could really have done with a midfielder who can move forward with the ball and drive at the opposition, but it seems like Bruce is going to be let down on the transfer front once again.