Joey Barton has claimed that his former club Newcastle United's signing of Florian Thauvin was a "fantastic bit of business".
The 22-year-old joined the Magpies from Marseille in a deal that saw Remy Cabella head to the Ligue 1 side on loan.
Barton told BT Sport that moving Cabella on and bringing in Thauvin was the right move to push the club forward.
Barton said: "I think it is a fantastic bit of business to get Cabella out and get Thauvin in. He's the next big thing in French Football.
"It didn't quite materialise for him at Marseille and the fans turned on him a little bit because I think he did not live up to what they thought he could be.
"I think he is an exceptional young player."
Thauvin scored five goals in Ligue 1 last season and got off the mark for Newcastle this season in their 4-1 victory against Northampton in the Capital One Cup.
