English top-flight side Newcastle United are weighing up a possible bid for Marseille’s Ghana international midfielder Andre Ayew.

Reports in France suggest the Magpies have already made contact regarding a possible deal in January.

The French outfit are hoping to offload the Ghanaian before his contract runs out next summer and are open to offers.

Alan Pardew is desperate to strengthen his side after a number of his summer recruits have failed to make a positive impact so far this season.

Ayew represented Ghana at the World Cup in Brazil last summer and was voted BBC African Footballer of the Year in 2011.