NEWCASTLE are ready to sign French midfield enforcer Ibrahima Sissoko in a £13 million deal.

The Toon have set up the move with Strasbourg to bring in Sissoko, a strapping 6ft 4in star, to help Steve Bruce’s survival fight.

Sissoko, 21, will jump at the move and is expected to be given permission to sort out terms shortly as the clubs are close to agreement on a fee.

The France under-21 prospect would give Newcastle extra physical strength in midfield and the club's money men also approve because of his age.

Bruce has been relying on the Longstaff brothers in recent games but knows that he needs reinforcements to avoid the drop.

His side currently sit 17th in the table, one point out of the relegation places, and have won just one of their past five games.

Owner Mike Ashley is willing to sell despite continued takeover talk and the mixed performances from the signings who came in the summer.

The plan is to have Sissoko on board for the start of the window and Strasbourg are already on the look out for his replacement.

Reports recently claimed Newcastle could be extra busy in the January window with the re-signing of Papiss Cisse.

The Magpies were apparently given the chance to bring the former striker, 34, back to Tyneside.

Newcastle already have one old cult hero on their books in Andy Carroll – injured again after training just two days a week – and reports claimed on Monday that Cisse was a potential January acquisition.

They reckoned the striker's agents were making enquiries across the Premier League in the hope of finding a buyer for the Alanyaspor forward.

A bid of £3m was thought to be enough to persuade the Turkish side to sell a man still on top goalscoring form.

In nine Super Lig games this season, Cisse has bagged nine goals.

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