Gomis misses talks with Lyon chief

Olympique Lyonnais striker Bafetimbi Gomis has failed to attend a meeting over his future with the club's president Jean-Michel Aulas.

The 27-year-old has been targeted by Newcastle United, who have been urged by their manager Alan Pardew to complete a transfer for the France international this summer.

Gomis, who scored 16 goals in Ligue 1 last season, has a year remaining on his current contract with the French club and was scheduled to meet for talks with the Lyon president on Thursday, but did not show up.

"We gave him a letter by hand but he did not come," Aulas told L'Equipe.

On Thursday, Magpies boss Pardew revealed he was pushing for the board and director of football Joe Kinnear to make Gomis' signature a priority, with the Tyneside outfit yet to make a signing this summer.

"Gomis is a player who would suit us, and we should pursue it as strongly as we can," Pardew told The Daily Mirror.