Newcastle battle Bundesliga clubs for Marseille wingman Andre Ayew

Newcastle United have reportedly offered Andre Ayew, whose current deal with Ligue 1 club Marseille expires in the summer, a pre-contract agreement.

The Tyneside team seem to favour shopping sprees in the French top flight and look set to return to France to bolster their attacking options with the Ghana international.

It is believed that Bundesliga big-guns Borussia Dortmund (33/1 with Coral to lift the Champions League) and Wolfsburg are also in the race for Black Stars attacker Ayew’s signature, but Newcastle are rumoured to have made the first move.

The Marseille wingman’s speed and strength should see him slot perfectly into the Premier League, while his tenacity and pressing would be a great asset alongside the likes of midfield engine Moussa Sissoko.

Able to be deployed on the left flank or as a central midfielder, versatile Ayew’s high-energy style is said to have caught the eye of a number of clubs, with both Arsenal and Tottenham previously linked.

If the Magpies want to bring the wideman, named BBC African Player of the Year in 2011, to Tyneside, they will surely have to pull out all the stops.

Newcastle have stagnated somewhat this season following Alan Pardew’s departure and could use an injection of quality and guile over summer, to complement their current attacking options.

In Ayew, who comes from a family of top footballing stock, including brothers Ibrahim and Jordan and Ghana legend Abedi Ayew Pele, the north east outfit would have a powerful player capable of contributing at either end of the pitch.

Still only 25, exciting Ayew seems certain to move on from Marseille, despite their promising season and title ambitions. President of the Stade Velodrome side, Jose Anigo, recently added to speculation by stating: “I regret he will leave. He will not extend the contract, so I feel he will go.”