Newcastle set their sights on Ivory Coast striker

                

Newcastle United fans have hardly had time to pause for breath in the Football Transfer Tavern during what has been a hectic transfer window for the club, and Jason Burt of The Telegraph reckons the club are not done doing business just yet.

Alan Pardew has reportedly set his sights on Ivory Coast international striker Wilfried Bony, and is hoping £12 million will be enough to secure his services.Bony is currently away at the African Cup of Nations, meaning a deal may be difficult to get done before Thursday’s transfer deadline.
His club Vitesse Arnhem have agreed to let the player leave for the right price, whilst the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea have also been credited with an interest.

It looks like the Magpies will be the first to test the waters by launching a bid for the man they see as a direct replacement for Demba Ba.Bony is top scorer in the Dutch Eredivisie with 16 goals in 18 games.The St. James’ Park-based club have already brought in striker Yoan Gouffran, midfielder Moussa Sissoko and defenders Mathieu Debuchy, Massadio Haidara and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa so far this January.