Montpellier Confirm Remy Cabella Transfer to Newcastle at End of Season

St James' Park is set to beef up its French reserves after it was disclosed that Newcastle United have agreed a deal to sign Remy Cabella at the end of the season.   

L'Equipe reporter Bruno Constant posted on Twitter, quoting Montpellier chairman Louis Nicollin as saying that the forward is closing in on an exit from the club:

These latest revelations come just a day after the player's father was reported by Actuafoot (h/t Sky Sports) as saying that his son would be moving to the Premier League outfit this month: "Yes we are negotiating for Remy and yes he will join Newcastle this winter."

Cabella is one of Montpellier's remaining stars from the league title success of 2012, which predictably brought about a great deal of interest in some of La Paillade's leading assets.

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

The 23-year-old has claimed six goals and made five assists in 20 Ligue 1 appearances this term, per Transfermarkt, and has proven to be one of the team's most consistent attacking components.

Despite it being only a little over 18 months since they became French champions, Montpellier are now in a different set of circumstances, sitting in 16th place and just four points away from the relegation zone.

It's this fall from grace which has undoubtedly played its part in Cabella's impending departure, with the Magpies enjoying a campaign that has them comfortably among the Premier League's top half.

The BBC's Andy Brassell recently discussed the matter of Montpellier's seemingly futile hopes of hanging on to Cabella's talents for WhoScored:

Cabella would become but the latest addition to a squad that already boasts 10 French players, six of whom have been capped for the national team.

So advanced is Alan Pardew's French revolution that the club has informally been dubbed "Chateau Nouveau" thanks to their interest in Ligue 1's talent over the last few years.

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

The club would appear to have found their niche in signing a raft of players with French as their first language and it's working in their favour as Newcastle once again look to compete for European football.

Pardew would assuredly like to get his hands on the player this month, but even a pre-agreed deal to welcome Cabella to the north-east shows good initiative on Newcastle's part, with another transfer that's sure to make its impact on the English top flight.