Montpellier defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa has revealed that he would be interested in moving to Newcastle United should be decide to leave the French club this summer.

The 23-year-old impressed last season as he helped Montpellier claim the Ligue 1 title and he has since been linked with numerous clubs from Europe.

He has already seen last season's top scorer Olivier Giroud decide to make the move to the Premier League and he has admitted that he would be interested in testing his abilities in another league.

Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa
Montpellier captain Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa is open to a move to Newcastle [Reuters]

However, he has also claimed that he would ideally like to end up playing for Italian giants AC Milan who have already had an offer for the versatile defender turned down.

In fact, the Montpellier captain believes that playing for Newcastle would give him the perfect platform to then go on to join AC Milan.

"Playing for Milan would certainly be a great opportunity for me, so now we wait," Yanga-Mbiwa told TuttoMercato, as reported on Sky Sports.

"I know that Newcastle are also interested in me. Newcastle would be a great opportunity for me, and I would hope that eventually I could join Milan.

"Joining Newcastle before Milan would give me the chance to mature even more and gain more experience. We'll see what happens."

The France Under-21 defender also stated that he was yet to make a decision on his future and it very much seems as though he is keeping his options open.

"It is possible that I can renew my contract with Montpellier, just as it is possible that I will not renew it," added Yanga-Mbiwa. "I do not exclude the possibility of renewing my contract with Montpellier."

While Newcastle have been linked with numerous players in this transfer window, manager Alan Pardew has struggled to complete deals and so far has only managed to bring Romain Amalfitano and Gael Bigirimana to the club.

They have yet to make an approach for the Montpellier defender, but they could have some joy after AC Milan admitted that they would not make another offer.

"Montpellier turned down our offer and we cannot reach an agreement for buying the player," said Milan chief Adriano Galliano. "Therefore, the case is closed with no regrets or bitterness."