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.”