Pardew pleads for patience

The Magpies have already signed French pair Yohan Cabaye and

Sylvain Marveaux as well as Senegal international striker Demba Ba,

while teenage midfielder Mehdi Abeid has also been recruited as one

for the future. But Pardew still hopes to make two more signings,

at least one of them a striker. It is understood Newcastle have

tabled a bid of around £7million for Paris Saint-Germain’s

Turkish frontman Mevlut Erding, who has been in their sights for

some time. Reports from the Continent have suggested the player

wants to stay in France, although there is a feeling on Tyneside

that that may represent a bargaining ploy. However, owner Mike

Ashley and managing director Derek Llambias will not be drawn into

a lengthy period of negotiation as they try to get the best

possible value for their money. Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle,

Pardew, who declined to comment directly on Erding, said: “We have

got to be diligent and patient. “We are starting the season with

five new players – Kevin [Nolan] obviously has gone – but we are in

such a better position already. “But we are poised and I still

think we can bring in maybe two more offensive players. We will

have to see.” The Magpies are monitoring Swansea full-back Neil

Taylor’s situation from afar after the Welsh club rejected their

£1million offer, a bid the Tyneside club believed triggered a

release clause in the defender’s contract. However, the remainder

of Pardew’s transfer activity could depend on what happens with

Jose Enrique and Joey Barton, who are due to return to training

this week with their respective futures as yet unresolved. Enrique

is still to respond to a new contract offer and Pardew has admitted

Gael Clichy’s move from Arsenal to Manchester City will not help

the situation, while Barton has repeatedly stated his intention to

see out the final 12 months of his existing deal after being told

he will not be getting a new one. In the meantime, the manager and

his staff will set about the task of assimilating the new boys into

the squad hoping the homework they and chief scout Graham Carr did

before they were signed pays dividends. Pardew said: “Ultimately in

signing players, you are taking a gamble. You are bringing them to

a new culture, a new club and a new league. “You have just got to

hope Graham and his team and myself have got it right.”