How Newcastle United put the accent on French in their battle for Premier League survival The value to be found across the Channel helps explain Newcastle's preoccupation with all things Gallic. French clubs are unable to pay the wages offered in the Premier League and transfer fees are markedly lower. Newcastle would have liked to sign Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha, but they were quoted a price of £12 million for a 20-year-old with one England cap who has since gone to Manchester United. They also looked into signing Southampton left-back Luke Shaw, but his wage demands, combined with a transfer fee, would have added up to more than £10 million over a five-year contract. Instead, Newcastle signed France Under-21 international Haïdara, who has played more than 20 first team games in Ligue 1, for roughly a third of that price. The French sports newspaper L'Equipe, has described Ligue 1 as Newcastle's "discount supermarket" and no English club has been so reliant on one foreign league for new players. There are 10 French players in Newcastle's squad and another four who speak French as their first language. Yet Newcastle's recruitment drive is not just down to economics. They have also been on a charm offensive, met the right people and shaken the right hands. In December, a Newcastle delegation travelled to Paris and set up shop in the exclusive hotel The W. All of France's top clubs were invited to send someone, all of the country's top agents were wined and dined. It was not the first time, either. Carr's role in proceedings has been crucial. While Pardew is involved in the discussions about where the team needs to be strengthened, he does not control who is bought. Carr is omnipotent in terms of recruitment. That hard work has been rewarded, and not just in the players who have been signed. Newcastle have now become arguably the Premier League's biggest draw in France, with every game shown on national television. But what does the French invasion mean for English players on Tyneside, particularly the youngsters trying to break into the first team? "I don't see it as a problem," Taylor said. It's the same as when I was young, Newcastle were always signing new players. You've just got to rise to the challenge. You've got to better yourself. You can't sulk. You're at a massive club, deal with it. It's part and parcel of professional football. There have been players here the last few months who've got too comfortable, they've been too settled in their position. The competition is healthy. You're not going to get a team of 11 Geordies. The Premier League is a melting pot.