Source: Northern_Echo
Pardew keen on striker Bothroyd
NEWCASTLE United are close to completing a cut-price move for Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd.[LNB] Magpies officials have held preliminary talks with their counterparts at the Cardiff City Stadium and are hopeful of completing a deal for the striker, whose current contract is due to expire in the summer, at the start of next week.[LNB] Manager Alan Pardew met the club's owner, Mike Ashley, on Wednesday to discuss this month's transfer dealings, and Bothroyd has emerged as a leading target.[LNB] The 28-year-old England international is out of contract in the summer, and has turned down the offer of a new deal at the Cardiff City Stadium.[LNB] Cardiff officials have hinted they are prepared to agree a £2million deal for Bothroyd, who has emerged as one of the hottest properties in the Championship.[LNB] West Ham, Blackburn and Fulham have all been linked with a potential move for Bothroyd, but none of the trio have tabled a formal offer for his services.[LNB] Bothroyd, who began his career as an Arsenal trainee before playing for a number of clubs including Coventry, Charlton and Italian side Perugia, sprang to prominence when he scored 13 goals as Cardiff made the Championship play-offs last season.[LNB] He has scored 13 goals in 17 league appearances during the current campaign, and made his full international debut as England suffered a 2-1 defeat to France in November.[LNB]
