The Auxerre striker is struggling to recapture his best form this term, and Newcastle are believed to have monitored the pacey 27-year-old for some time and it seems unlikely that Auxerre boss Jacques Santini would hold much resolve should an offer be put in.
Marseille are also mooted strongly as potential suitors, as are Borussia Dortmund, but as Newcastle search for an eventual successor to Alan Shearer it would appear they could have the edge.