Summer Beckons As Newcastle Midfield Target Aims For National Side

Newcastle midfield target Benjamin Corgnet says he is not concerning himself with transfer rumours at this stage of the season, with the Frenchman revealing he is waiting until the summer before he makes a decision over his future.

At the start of the year, Dijon manager Patrice Carteron confirmed that the Toon had made an approach for the 24 year old, who has starred for Dijon since making the move to the club in 2010.

"We had a direct approach from Newcastle but Benjamin is of the same approach as us, and wants to continue to progress by completing a full season in Ligue 1," he told RMC at the time.

"At the end of the season, of course, he will be allowed to leave. It is a good thing for him to be able to stabilise at the highest level. Newcastle's offer was very high."

And now, as speculation continues to surround a possible summer move to Newcastle, Corgnet insists that he is concentrating on playing well for Dijon and getting a mention for the French national side.

"I honestly do not think about it at all," he told Le 10 Sport of transfer interest.

"I will try to finish the season well with my club and we'll see what I will do then. I am not yet looking to the future."

Corgnet also quashed reports that he has had interest from Ligue 1 outfit Lyon, telling the paper: "Lyon is the city where I grew up, where there are all my family and all my friends.

"Over the past ten years, they had a very enviable record even though there is less talk of them today. They adopted a new strategy with Remy Guard.

"It is a strategy that pays well and I like many, believe in his emphasis on young players. But I have not been approached directly by the side."

He also explained that the France national team is a big goal for the future, whether it be before or after the 2012 Euros.

"Like any French player, I dream to play for my nation," he said. "But I think I still have much work to do.

"It is only my first year in Ligue 1 I have yet many things to improve. But of course I am happy to hear that even though I know it will be very hard to do."

Newcastle were one of the few clubs to make a big purchase in the January transfer window, bringing Papiss Demba Cisse on board as a long term replacement for the departed Andy Carroll.

The north eastern club are currently riding a trail of success that has lasted a lot longer than many pundits could have believed at the start of the season.

Since Alan Pardew took over managerial duties at St James' Park, the side have leaned towards making French purchases, with Yohan Cabaye, Gabriel Obertan, Hatem Ben Arfa and Sylvain Marveaux joining the side in the last year.