Racon on verge of signing

according to OS

Alan Pardew was hoping to continue his summer recruitment drive by snapping up highly rated French midfielder Therry Racon on Friday.

In his weekly meeting with the media, the Addicks manager said the 23-year-old, who currently plays for Guingamp, was due to undergo a medical with a view to a move to The Valley.

"We are trying to sign someone today, and he's having a medical,” Pardew told the press.

"We feel we've had good success with Yassin Moutaouakil since he has been here, and Therry is coming from the same division.

"He is a central midfielder with fantastic athletic ability and agility and I like the look of his composure.

"It's an area I felt we needed to strengthen and both he and ZiZi will be strong competition for the likes of Ambrose, Semedo and Matty Holland."

Pardew added: "He's a young player finding his way, but we have high hopes for him."

The fee for Racon is 550,000 euros, and he is expected to sign a four-year contract over the weekend, but will not be involved in Saturday's game against Scunthorpe United.

Racon's arrival would bring the number of summer signings made by Pardew to a round dozen, and would be the third new recruit in the space of 48 hours following Thursday's purchase of Izale McLeod and Zheng Zhi.

Racon, who began his career with Marseille but played just one match for the French giants, joined Guingamp in 2005 and had a year left on his contract with the Ligue 2 side.

After leaving the Stade Velodrome he signed for L'Orient, for whom he scored three goals in 28 games in 2004/05.

Former Guingamp players include France internationals Jean-Pierre Papin and Vincent Candela, new Chelsea signing Florent Malouda and his Blues teammate Didier Drogba.