Source: Northern_Echo
Pardew becoming resigned to Enrique's exit
NEWCASTLE boss Alan Pardew is growing increasingly resigned to losing the services of Jose Enrique this summer.[LNB] Pardew met Magpies owner Mike Ashley and managing director Derek Llambias on Thursday to discuss a number of outstanding contractual and transfer issues, with Enrique's future featuring heavily on the agenda.[LNB] The Spaniard, who is about to enter the final year of his contract, turned down an opportunity to discuss a new deal in January, and has subsequently attracted the interest of a number of Premier League clubs including Manchester United and Liverpool.[LNB] Pardew remains keen to keep the full-back on Tyneside, but despite the best efforts of Newcastle officials, it has proved impossible to persuade Enrique and his representatives to attend formal talks.[LNB] The Magpies' summer transfer budget will be influenced by what happens with Enrique and Joey Barton, who is also entering the final 12 months of his current deal, and there is a private acceptance among the club's hierarchy that the current impasse cannot be allowed to drag on forever.[LNB] Mike came (on Thursday) and we talked about certain players, said Pardew, who will welcome Leon Best and Danny Guthrie back into his squad for tomorrow's final game with West Brom. The Enrique situation is something we talked about. How possible is it going to be to get him over the line[LNB] It's difficult because we're finding it difficult to get him to come to the table. We're safe, which was what his people said that they would wait for.[LNB] 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.[LNB] We're very hopeful he stays, but there's no point keeping a player who has set his sights on a club he has perceived is bigger. You can't keep a player that's unmotivated.[LNB] The position involving Barton appears to be more positive, with the midfielder once again making private noises suggesting he is willing to pen a new deal at St James'.[LNB] An agreement was close in January, only to collapse at the final minute, but it is hoped a new round of talks will clarify the position before the end of the month.[LNB] The length of any proposed contract is understood to be a major sticking point, but there appears to be a desire on both sides to achieve an acceptable compromise.[LNB] I've stated all along that I want Joey to stay, said Pardew. Whether we can reach an agreement with him, we'll have to see.[LNB] We came very close before, very close. It was almost a 12th-hour decision that it didn't get done, so we'll have to wait and see how that unfolds.[LNB] As well as tying Barton down to a new deal, Pardew is also determined to make a number of additions to his squad this summer.[LNB] A new striker is a priority, with Reading's Shane Long and Lorient's Kevin Gameiro both having interested Pardew and chief scout Graham Carr in the last few months.[LNB] The Magpies boss is also keen to sign a winger this summer - his scouts have watched Toulouse's Franck Tabanou on a number of occasions - and a new left-back will be needed if Enrique departs.[LNB] With the £35m received from the sale of Andy Carroll having gone untouched on January's deadline day, significant resources will be available.[LNB] But with Ashley determined to avoid some of the mistakes of the past, Pardew will be operating within a strict remit when it comes to recruiting new players this summer.[LNB] Young players will be prioritised, ideally 24 years old or younger, and while there is no formal wage ceiling at St James', the Newcastle boss will be charged with the task of keeping the monthly wage bill within a strictly-defined range.[LNB] They want to sign younger players and I've got no problem with that, said Pardew. I knew that when I came in. It's an area I've always worked well in at my former clubs and done well with 90 per cent of them.[LNB] I know we could attract a squad here that would keep us safe in this division, but that's not what Mike wants and it's not what I want either. 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] Can we compete with the top teams on a regular basis That comes from clever scouting, investment and time.[LNB] It's not going to happen overnight. We could have a freak year next year and finish very high, but it might not happen the same the year after that. We need to keep a level head to try to grow the best we can with the finances we have available.[LNB]
