NICE boss Lucien Favre has categorically ruled out allowing star striker Amine Gouiri to join Newcastle United this summer.

While Magpies head coach Eddie Howe has recruited three players this summer, bringing in Nick Pope, Matt Targett and Sven Botman, he continues to search for a centre-forward and a wide attacker.

His striker search has turned into something of a saga, with a deal for Hugo Ekitike having collapsed when the Reims youngster effectively turned down the chance of a move to St James’ Park for the second time in six months.

While Newcastle’s recruitment team have not completely drawn a line under their interest in Ekitike, it is hard to see a deal for the 20-year-old being resurrected at this stage.

That has forced the Magpies to look elsewhere, and Gouiri has long been regarded as an attractive alternative.

A France Under-21 international who began his career with Lyon before moving to Nice in the summer of 2020, Gouiri scored ten goals in 38 Ligue 1 appearances last season.

While Nice reportedly value the 22-year-old at around €60m, there had been a feeling within the hierarchy at St James’ Park that that price would have been negotiable if formal discussions had taken place.

However, discussions were delayed as Nice sought to appoint a new manager, with Favre’s installation at the Allianz Riviera having been confirmed at the end of last month.

Favre, who was briefly on Newcastle’s radar before they appointed Howe last autumn, has been spelling out his priorities with Nice, and holding on to Gouiri is a key part of his plans for next season. Khephren Thuram and Jean-Clair Todibo have also been linked with summer moves away, but Favre is adamant the trio will all be staying with the Nice squad.

“Yes, Gouiri and Thuram will stay for sure – Todibo too,” said Favre. “They will stay – it’s important to master transfer windows, one or two players can make a huge difference in a team.”

Favre’s stance means Newcastle will have to look elsewhere as they attempt to recruit a new forward, and while they continue to hold a strong interest in Chelsea’s Armando Broja, there has been no movement in relation to the Albania international this week.

Newcastle officials had been hoping Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel would make a firm decision over Broja’s long-term future in the last few days, but the situation relating to the striker remains uncertain.

The Magpies are keen to sign Broja on a season-long loan, with a view to a possible permanent transfer next summer. Having loaned the 20-year-old to Southampton last season, there is every chance Chelsea will agree to another temporary arrangement this term. However, at this stage, Broja remains part of Tuchel’s first-team training group.

Newcastle also have an interest in Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but having sanctioned the sale of Richarlison to Tottenham, Everton boss Frank Lampard is understandably reluctant to lose his other frontline striker in the same transfer window.

Dwight Gayle will be leaving Tyneside as part of Newcastle’s attacking overhaul, but while Watford, Middlesbrough and West Brom have all held discussions over the 32-year-old, none of the Championship sides have been able to put together a financial package that would be acceptable to both the Magpies and Gayle.

Talks remain ongoing, with Gayle currently training away from Newcastle’s first-team group along with fellow fringe players Ciaran Clark and Jeff Hendrick.

Howe’s first-team squad is in action tomorrow when they take on Gateshead in a behind-closed-doors friendly that will be staged at Newcastle’s Little Benton training complex.

Howe will then take his players to Austria for a training camp that will feature matches against German sides 1860 Munich and Mainz.