NEWCASTLE UNITED have not given up hope of signing Remy Cabella this summer, despite being told they must double their initial offer of £6.5m.

The Magpies have been chasing the attacking midfielder for a number of months and see him as a natural replacement for fellow countryman Yohan Cabaye, but so far they have failed in their attempts to land him.

Montpellier chairman Laurent Niccolin revealed earlier this week that the Ligue 1 club are holding out for £12m for the 24-year-old after his late call-up to replace Franck Ribery in the French World Cup squad.

Despite having a healthy transfer budget at their disposal, Newcastle will not be bullied into paying over the odds, but The Northern Echo understands they have not given up hope of landing one of their top summer targets.

Although they are not willing to give in to Montpellier’s demands, the Magpies could still increase their initial offer for Cabella, who they have already agreed terms with, but a move is unlikely to happen until after the World Cup’s conclusion next month.

Alan Pardew has already landed young striker Ayoze Perez and former Sunderland midfielder Jack Colback on a free transfer, but having felt the wrath of supporters for not replacing Cabaye in January, there is pressure on the Newcastle hierarchy to do so before the start of next season.

Should Cabella impress in Brazil, the Magpies would face competition for his signature, but the midfielder has spoken of the possibility of moving to the Premier League and that could help their pursuit.

While they remain keen on the Frenchman, Newcastle’s priority is strengthening their forward department, but the Magpies will also be in the market for defenders should Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and Steven Taylor be sold.

The former seems destined for a return to France only 18 months after arriving from Montpellier, while Taylor’s place in the squad is also in jeopardy.

Yesterday brought reports that Newcastle could offer Hull City a swap deal involving Taylor with Curtis Davies moving in the opposite direction.

Dutch midfielder Siem de Jong is also being considered and talks have already taken place between the club and his representatives.