Imbula plays down Newcastle link

Giannelli Imbula has moved to cool speculation of a potential move to Newcastle, saying his contract with Guingamp runs until 2015.

Giannelli Imbula has moved to cool speculation of a potential move to Newcastle, saying his contract with Guingamp runs until 2015.

Ten French-based players have joined Newcastle recently, with manager Alan Pardew looking to the French market to get value for money.

High profile signings from the French leagues include Yohan Cabaye, Hatem Ben Arfa, Moussa Sissoko and Mathieu Debuchy among others, but Imbula has moved to cool the link between him and Newcastle.

The 20-year old says Newcastle are a ‘big club’, but dismissed rumours as ‘paper talk’.

Imbula told Sky Sports: “I have a contract until 2015 so let’s see what will happen. Guingamp is my club and they will have their say.

“Newcastle are in the Premier League, you are talking about a big club, but nothing is done. It is only paper talk.”

Although Imbula is Congolese, he plays in the second tier of French football with Guingamp, where he has scored one goal this season in 23 games.

Imbula has been previously linked with Chelsea and Arsenal among other clubs, and became the youngest player to start a Ligue 2 game at 17 years and one month old.