Newcastle United have rejected an offer from Ligue 1 outfit Marseille for out-of-favour winger Yoan Gouffran.
Marseille are already signing a Newcastle United man in Florian Thauvin on loan until the end of the season and were also interested in taking Gouffran back to France on a similar arrangement.
However, according to French broadcaster Canal+ the Magpies have knocked back Marseille’s offer and have refused to entertain the idea of letting the Frenchman leave despite him being a fringe player.
It remains to be seen whether Marseille return with a counter offer, but it has been suggested that Newcastle are unlikely to let the 29-year-old exit St. James’ Park in the last days of the transfer window.
Gouffran joined Newcastle United from Bordeaux in January 2013, but during his three-year stint thus far he has failed to secure a starting spot in the club’s first eleven.
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Under Steve McClaren he has been little more than just a fringe player and has played just 149 minutes of football this season.
Gouffran’s only start this season came in the 6-1 thrashing that Manchester City handed out to Newcastle in early October last year.