African Set To Replace Barton?
Last updated : 31 May 2008 By Footy Mad - Editor
Although Kevin Keegan is keen to keep jailbird Joey Barton, the club has yet to decide whether to cancel the ex-Man City player's contract, and no decision is likely until after his next court appearance.
If things go bad for Barton, the case against the alleged attack on a City twam-mate could she him jailed for a further five years, and obviously Newcastle call time on his United career.
Keegan is already looking at signing a "creative midfielder", and it is understood that talks between the Magpies and the Ligue 1 side have already begun, with Emana expressing an interest in moving to the Premier League.
The 25-year-old has a contract in France until 2011, but his agent Sebastien Thiery is confident that an agreement can be reached.
Thiery: "Achille is ready to play in the Premier League and Newcastle is a team he would relish playing for.
"He is strong and is a box-to-box midfielder who also possesses a lot of pace.
"He has the right number of caps and the right amount of experience at 25 not to be overawed by the Premier League, which would be an exciting challenge."