Mo Diame

As much as Moussa Sissoko divides opinion, the Frenchman was crucial to everything the Toon did well towards the end of the campaign.

Pace and power, his departure (solely in a footballing sense) would have created a gaping hole in the side.

While Diame isn’t as big a name, the Senegalese provides many of the same qualities as our dear departed French powerhouse.

His ability to break through stubborn defences is likely to provide the club with something different to turn to.