TRANSFER NEWS:Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear has confirmed the club have lodged a €5.5million bid for Rennes midfielder Stephane Mbia and have also enquired about 30-year-old West Ham defender Lucas Neill.

Kinnear is now awaiting news of the club's offer for 22-year-old Cameroon international Mbia, and developments with Australian Neill, who they hope can ease the loss of Habib Beye to an ankle injury.

“We have put a bid in writing for Stephane Mbia and we are waiting to hear from his club,” he said. "We have put a bid in of £5million and we are waiting to see what the outcome of that is."

Asked about Neill, he added: "We have spoken to his agent and it is ongoing at the moment, we are just waiting to see. We could get an answer at any time."

Kinnear claimed last night the club had made two €4.5million offers for unnamed players.

With his interest in Toulouse defender Albin Ebondo having apparently cooled, it is understood St Etienne striker Bafetimbi Gomis could now be in his sights.

Meanwhile, Geremi and his representatives are still in talks over a proposed move to Turkish club Besiktas which could further boost the manager's transfer kitty.

Marseilledefender Gael Givethas joined Blackburnon loan until the end of the season.

Rovers have the option of signing the 27-year-old on a permanent basis at the end of his loan spell, according to a statement on Marseille's website, www.om.net.

Givet, who can play at left-back or at centre-back and has been capped by France, has not played a single match for OM this season.

He joined the Mediterranean side from Monaco in the summer of 2007 and made 29 appearances in Ligue 1 last season.