Sochaux have contacted Fifa stating there has been an illegal approach for the 23-year-old, who has reportedly gone AWOL since interest emerged from St James' Park. Pardew, who also wants to sign PSV Eindhoven's £7million-rated left-back, Erik Pieters, has suggested clubs are performing 'brinkmanship' in an attempt to earn more money. But Maiga's intentions appear clear, as he told L'Equipe: "I want it to be done with Newcastle. I want to leave - it is necessary that the president agrees to negotiate. "I met everybody, they want me and it is not any club. England is a dream. I want to go." It remains to be seen whether Newcastle continue their interest in Maiga, but they are expected to pursue an attempt to sign Pieters. Pardew said in the Daily Star: "I think there is a little bit of brinkmanship going on, which is understandable. "If clubs are resigned to losing a player, they want the best possible price. "So, when a transfer gets close, suddenly other clubs and the media get to know about it and all sorts of accusations fly around. "But when you cut through everything, I want two positions filled before the end of the window and I think we will do that."
