Bordeaux's Saivet agrees terms at Newcastle

"The two clubs have come to an agreement. There's just a few details to iron out and a medical," said Sagnol, who also described the 25-year-old as Bordeaux's best player this season.

"He's been wanting away for a while. He needs a new challenge and there comes a time when you have to let a player go when he's done a good job for you," Sagnol said.

Newcastle manager Steve McClaren admitted Saivet had arrived on Tyneside, but was cautious when asked if he expected the deal to be completed imminently.

"We are at a sensitive position where we are going through a medical, we are negotiating a contract, and I have seen these fall through and everybody has got egg on their face discussing this, that and the other and people are left upset," he said.

"All I can say is yes, he is in the building, medical, contract, when it's all done and signed, we'll talk about the assets and what he'll bring."

Saivet came through Bordeaux's youth system and was a striker before converting to an attacking midfielder. He is under contract at Bordeaux until 2017 and valued at around 6 million euros ($6.5 million).