According to reports in The Northern Echo, in-form Newcastle United midfielder Yoan Gouffran is interesting French side Lille, and the club face a dilemma over whether he should be allowed to leave during the January transfer window.

What's the word, then?

Well, the 30-year-old looked set to leave St James' Park in the summer following the club's relegation from the Premier League, but when a move back to his homeland failed to come to fruition, Rafa Benitez opted to keep him in his plans on Tyneside.

The midfielder has gone to appear in 12 of the Magpies' last 13 Championship matches and has impressed his manager, and the supporters, with some all-action displays.

Now, Lille are understood to be ready to offer Gouffran a two-and-a-half year deal to move to Ligue 1.

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Would he be allowed to leave in January?

Possibly. Despite his good form, Gouffran is out of contract next summer and with no progress over a new deal between the two parties, Newcastle may choose to sell the Frenchman in January for a fee, rather than lose him for nothing at the end of the season.

Additionally, after he struggled to make an impact in the Premier League with the Toon previously, it could be decided that it would be a bad business decision to offer the midfielder a new deal, with Benitez's side on course for an instant return to England's top flight.

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