Newcastle fans are praying their club finally breaks their transfer record to land a new number nine this summer, after reports claimed they are one of several clubs eyeing up Alassane Plea.

According to Sky Sports, West Ham have tabled a bid for Nice striker Plea, but Newcastle, Fulham and Tottenham are all in the hunt as well.

Nice are understood to want €30m (£26.6m) for the 25 year-old, who scored 21 goals in all competitions last season, including four in European competition.

Plea had an absolutely electric end to the season, scoring ten and adding two assists in his final nine games, and is said to be interested in a move to the Premier League.

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Valued at £16.2m by Transfermarkt, the Frenchman plays mostly as a centre forward, but can operate on either wing if required.

Rafael Benitez is of course desperate for a big money striker signing this summer, and the Magpies are still yet to break their transfer record from the Michael Owen deal in 2005.

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Fans aren’t exactly optimistic about the chances of Mike Ashley backing a big move for Plea, but they’d love it to happen, and you can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…