Pardew patient in player pursuit

21 May 2014 15:01

Newcastle are remaining patient over the pursuit of their early-summer targets amid mounting speculation.

The Magpies are keen to do their business - or at least a significant proportion of it - as close as possible to the beginning of the transfer window to give manager Alan Pardew the maximum opportunity to work with his new-look squad before the start of the new campaign.

However, they are taking their time as they attempt to strike the right deals after a second successive testing Barclays Premier League season.

Pardew's interest in Montpellier playmaker Remy Cabella is ongoing, but Press Association Sport understands the club are yet to table a formal bid for a player who has been in their sights for some time.

In addition, reports from Spain have suggested that the capture of 20-year-old Tenerife striker Ayoze Perez is a done deal, although sources on Tyneside are adamant that, while talks have taken place, nothing is yet agreed.

Newcastle's need to strengthen is no secret after the loss of midfielder Yohan Cabaye to Paris St-Germain in January, while Dan Gosling has left the club for Bournemouth and strikers Loic Remy and Luuk de Jong have ended their loan spells.

With fellow frontman Shola Ameobi out of contract and the futures of Hatem Ben Arfa, Sylvain Marveaux, Gabriel Obertan and Sammy Ameobi uncertain, there are likely to be major changes at St James' Park before the new season gets under way.

Cabella has been on Pardew's wish-list for some time with the club failing to strike a deal to bring him to English football in the immediate aftermath of Cabaye's exit.

There were suggestions during the winter that an agreement in principle had been reached for the 24-year-old schemer, who is valued at around £11million, but with reported interest from other clubs in England, Spain and Germany, there is much work still to be done.

Spaniard Perez has been tipped for great things after scoring 16 goals in 33 league appearances for second tier Tenerife, and his exploits too have attracted a range of admirers.

However, while the Magpies remain hopeful of getting their man, there is still a distance to go there, too.

Pardew has made little secret of his desire to strengthen the British contingent at St James' Park, although sources have played down a link with Aston Villa's former Sunderland striker Darren Bent, who was a target 12 months ago.

However, out-of-contract Black Cats midfielder Jack Colback is a man who interests the Magpies despite talks over a new deal at the Stadium of Light having been reopened.

But Pardew freely admits the market represents a "moveable feast".

While men such as Swansea's Jonjo Shelvey and Manchester City's Jack Rodwell may also be of interest, finance and competition will dictate to what degree the Magpies stick to their long-standing strategy of seeking the best value for their money.

Source: PA