JOE KINNEAR finally admitted defeat in Newcastle United’s pursuit of French striker Bafetimbi Gomis 48 hours before Monday’s transfer deadline, it has emerged.

The Magpies’ director of football’s unsuccessful first transfer window in the role was pretty much over shortly after manager Alan Pardew had reiterated his hopes of seeing a new player arrive after a 1-0 win over Fulham.

Kinnear has been ridiculed by fans and critics for his failure to add to the solitary loan acquisition of Loic Remy from Queens Park Rangers, having demanded to be judged on his signings when he took on the executive role in the summer.

And despite an inability to bring in the players Pardew had been hoping for, sources in France claim Newcastle’s negotiations with Lyon effectively came to an end on Saturday night.

Even though there was significant interest in Gomis from Turkey and Germany, Gomis had identified Newcastle as the club he wanted to join and Lyon were prepared to sell if their valuation was met.

But the French club were not prepared to budge on their asking price for a player who has entered the final year of his contract, so Newcastle withdrew their €8m bid earlier offer. That was the point the deal collapsed.

Newcastle never made fresh contact with Lyon before the 11pm deadline on Monday and word filtered through from Newcastle on that afternoon that it was unlikely Pardew would have any new signings on board.

Now Pardew – who did successfully keep Yohan Cabaye after Arsenal did not increase their initial £10m bid - is considering the free agent market to strength his squad before January’s transfer window.

Former Chelsea defender Khalid Boulahrouz and ex-Juventus striker Vincenzo Iaquinta are among a long list of players – although very few have top-flight experience – of players still looking for clubs.

Kinnear still has a list of players to work to, having had discussions with Pardew and chief scout Graham Carr.

And it has emerged Heerenveen’s Alfred Finnbogason is one on the radar, even though Gomis is likely to figure prominently again once the January transfer window opens on January 1.

Finnbogason attracted plenty of interest from the Premier League following 24 goals in 28 games for the Dutch club last season, including Sunderland, Aston Villa and Everton.

The 24-year-old has remained with Heerenveen after the transfer window but Newcastle are keen to keep tabs on his development in the build up to the new year.

Newcastle youngster Conor Newton, meanwhile, is keen to use his loan experience at St Mirren in a similar way to his team-mate and good friend Paul Dummett.

After a successful loans stint north of the border last season, Dummett has figured in the Premier League under Pardew this season and earned a call-up to the Wales squad.

Newton, who has returned to Paisley for a second loan spell where he could be joined by Adam Campbell if St Mirren beat Hartlepool to his signature, is keen to make the most of his chance.

Newton said: “Paul has gone back after a loan spell here and managed to establish himself, which is no easy feat, given how many big players and internationals there are in that Newcastle squad. I’m over the moon for him. He deserves it.”