Source: Daily_Mail
Newcastle's Andy Carroll linked with Spurs switch but Alan Pardew plays down move
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is determined to hang on to his big names as the January transfer window enters its final fortnight. [LNB]Pardew has spent the last few weeks having to fend off interest in star striker Andy Carroll, who has been linked with a £30million move to Tottenham, and is hoping to persuade a rejuvenated Joey Barton to sign a new deal. [LNB]Spurs are lining up a new cash-only offer for Carroll having been unsuccessful in tempting Newcastle to sell using Peter Crouch and Robbie Keane as bait, says the Sunday Mirror.[LNB] Hot property: Newcastle striker Andy Carroll is wanted by Tottenham[LNB]Keane's expected departure, either to Birmingham or West Ham, should free up a further £6m, with Tottenham ready to hand Carroll a huge wage increase if he moves to White Hart Lane.[LNB]The Magpies are ready to resist any offer for Carroll this month, but realise there may come a time when they are unable to do so. [LNB]Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Pardew said: 'The most important people at the club are the players we have and who are doing well, the Andy Carrolls, [Cheik] Tiotes and Steven Taylors of this world. [LNB]'We need to make sure they stay part of the fabric of this club and we build on those with the good senior players, the Kevin Nolans, the Joey Bartons and [Steve] Harpers that we have around them. [LNB] Bright future: Carroll made his senior England debut earlier this season[LNB]'We have a nice balance at the moment and it's important we keep that nucleus and build on it. [LNB]'My main job so far has been to secure the nucleus rather than to build on it. [LNB]'The difficulty is that because we are a team that's not in the Champions League, we are vulnerable to Champions League teams who can pay salaries that are very difficult for us. [LNB]'It's difficult to explain to fans how to fend these clubs off, and we have managed to do that in Joey's case. [LNB]'He has 18 months to run which leaves him vulnerable, and other clubs are aware of that and they are testing our resolve. [LNB]'We hope Joey commits to us because he has been superb for me, not just as a player but within the group, and I want to secure him for a longer period, and we are going to try and do that.'[LNB] Barton: I'm the top England midfielder... but Capello still won't pick meNewcastle are a striker light but Pardew targets a win in first derbyWhat the back pages say: Spurs prepare record-breaking Carroll bid, Man City eye £15m Henderson while Liverpool chase DowningNEWCASTLE UNITED FC
