Transfer news: PSG set to offer £21m for Yohan Cabaye as Laurent Blanc praises his 'character'

Magpies prepare to receive a bumper offer for their star Frenchman

Newcastle United's Yohan Cabaye (GETTY IMAGES)

Newcastle United are preparing themselves for a considerable offer for Yohan Cabaye from Paris Saint Germain after it emerged that the Ligue 1 champions are willing to part with £21m for the midfielder.

According to the Daily Telegraph, PSG have held a firm interest in the 28-year-old Frenchman for over a year and were expected to rival Arsenal for his signature in the summer.

The Gunners' £10m bid was rejected and the Parisian club opted to bide their time despite Cabaye missing three games in an attempt to force a move away from St. James' Park.

Laurent Blanc, the PSG head coach, initially appeared to surreptitiously hide his admiration for Newcastle's number four after watching his side thrash Nantes 5-0 on Sunday.

"It would be good to recruit a player in the heart of the game, to have an extra player in midfield," he said.

"We need a player who has the same mentality as the others when they are playing or on the bench. He must love to play.

"He must be technically good and be tough, and whether this player comes or does not come, there will be competition in all positions.

"I've been saying for a month and a half - and the injury to Adrien makes it more urgent - that we need an extra player in midfield."

Asked specifically about Cabaye, Blanc added: "I ask myself. I know the man. He has that character, but there are others.

"We are very happy with this team, but with all the competitions in which we are engaged we must be aware there will be issues, as we have seen with Adrien Rabiot."

Alan Pardew has successfully re-motivated the French international however and remains cautiously optimistic of persuading the Toon star to remain in the North East.

Sat in eighth place in the Premier League table, just seven below the top four, Pardew's men have enjoyed a renaissance in fortunes this season.

Cabaye flew with the rest of the squad to Abu Dhabi on Saturday night for a warm weather training camp and club sources have denied a bid has been received.

"My mentality hasn’t changed," Cabaye said after Newcastle's 3-1 win at West Ham. "Even after what happened in the summer. I will do my best for the team every day.

"If the manager or the staff are happy with my performances, and the fans who are supporting me are happy, I am happy."