Source: Daily_Mail
Mike Ashley ready to bankroll Newcastle's assault on silverware and Europe
ShareNewcastle owner Mike Ashley has told manager Alan Pardew he wants European football and silverware, and is prepared to hand over the cash to get them.[LNB]As Pardew prepares for a final day showdown with West Brom, aiming to clinch a top ten spot, he has revealed Ashley travelled to Tyneside for a meeting this week to discuss targets in the transfer market, and for next season.[LNB]Although now virtually resigned to losing Spanish left-back Jose Enrique, while determined to hang on to Joey Barton, Pardew is aiming to strengthen his squad in every position.[LNB] Money, money, money: Newcastle raised ?35m from the sale of Andy Carroll to Liverpool[LNB]And he believes he can build one which is capable of keeping Ashley's interest in Newcastle United.[LNB]Pardew said: 'Mike came and we talked about certain players and values and the strategy and how the summer scouting is going to progress. I felt buoyed by the meeting. As a Premier League manager, I was quite satisfied.[LNB]'Now it's about recruitment and making sure the squads stronger. It's quite obvious at this time we can't compete with the likes of Liverpool Tottenham and the top four.[LNB]'We could attract a squad here I know would keep us safe in this division but that's not what Mike wants and it's not what I want. We want to try and excel. We have to try and take a few chances with players that will keep us in the division but who might take us on to that next level.[LNB] Vow: Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley will back is team in the transfer market[LNB]'That of course becomes fraught with difficulties. He wants to push as high as we can but he knows we can't compete with the top clubs in terms of the players that they can afford and the money they're talking about. We're going to be realistic in our aims but we're going to aim high within the realism of our situation.'[LNB]With Manchester United, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and AC Milan all monitoring Enrique's contract talks as Newcastle look to extend his deal beyond the end of next season, Pardew seemed to indicate the former Villarreal defender could be playing his last game for Newcastle today.[LNB]Pardew added: 'We're finding it difficult to get him to come to the table. We're safe, which I think was what his people said that they would wait for, it's now the last game and once we get the last game out of the way we'll sit down and see where we are with it. We're very hopeful he stays.'[LNB] Newcastle owner Ashley prepared to fund push for silverware and EuropeNorthern Exposure: Who will finish as top dogs in the North East?I'll spend wisely! Pardew vows he won't make same mistakes as previous Newcastle bosses All the latest Newcastle news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Mike Ashley, Joey Barton Places: Newcastle, Liverpool, Europe
