Newcastle United's pursuit of Montpellier midfielder Ryad Boudebouz has been given a boost after Lyon chose to pull out of the race for his signature.
The Algeria international is expected to leave Montpellier this summer, with the French club looking for in excess of £13m in order to part with their star asset.
Boudebouz has no shortage of potential suitors with Newcastle, Lazio and Bayer Leverkusen all keen.
He had also been attracting attention from Lyon, but according to Foot Mercato, the French giants have decided to pull out of the race to focus on alternative targets.