Cameroon defender Aurelien Chedjou open to £12million Newcastle United move

Alan Pardew could see Aurelien Chedjou as a long-term replacement for Fabricio Coloccini

The Lille centre-back has also attracted the interest of Valencia but Alan Pardew could swoop to make the 27-year-old his replacement for Fabricio Coloccini, who is unsettled at St James' Park.

Chedjou said: "I am delighted when teams are being linked with me because it means that I am doing well.

"My agent [Gregory] Gelebert is working with the clubs interested in me, but I am relaxed about the situation.

"Newcastle have shopped in France before and with the likes of (Yohan) Cabaye and former Lille right-back (Mathieu) Debuchy there already, so I will be in a good environment.

"But there is nothing official with Newcastle just yet. It's all paper talk."