Source: Northern_Echo
Pardew targets midfield improvements as Cabaye deal is done
WITH France international Yohan Cabaye having agreed to join Newcastle, and fellow Lille midfielder Gervinho also pondering the offer of a move to St James' Park, Alan Pardew admits he is targeting players with the creativity and guile that was missing from some of his side's play last season.[LNB] Cabaye, a 25-year-old attacking midfielder, will join the Magpies when the transfer window reopens later this summer.[LNB] The Frenchman has played a key role in Lille's recent league and cup double, but has opted to trigger a buy-out clause in his contract that enables him to leave for 5m Euros (£4.3m).[LNB] Newcastle officials tabled a bid of exactly that amount last week, and Lille boss Rudi Garcia confirmed late on Sunday evening that Cabaye had agreed personal terms with Newcastle.[LNB] He could yet be joined on Tyneside by Gervinho, although it is proving much more difficult to complete a swift move for the coveted Ivory Coast international.[LNB] Lille are understood to have granted the Magpies permission to speak to Gervinho's representatives, but with Arsenal widely expected to strengthen their own interest in the winger this summer, the African is in no hurry to make a decision on his future.[LNB] Nevertheless, Pardew's desire to strengthen his side's offensive options is obvious, and the arrival of two or three proven attacking midfielders could have major repercussions in terms of Joey Barton's position on Tyneside.[LNB] This summer will give me an opportunity to bring in some aspects of the squad that I think are missing, said Pardew. That's pace, athleticism and quality.[LNB] Although we have that in the squad, we need more of it. Those three areas are the areas that I'm targeting to improve.[LNB] It's about attracting as many good players as we can. I don't think you need to look at our squad very long to work out that we need somebody who can open up a defence, whether that's by taking a player on or producing a magical pass, or one of each. That kind of area is where I am going.[LNB] With that in mind, the capture of Cabaye is a notable coup, as the midfielder, who has played for France at every representative level from Under-16s to the senior squad, would have been playing Champions League football next season had he remained at Lille.[LNB] Instead, Newcastle officials have persuaded him to uproot to England, and Garcia admits he is disappointed to be losing one of his squad's most influential players.[LNB] Yohan told us at the weekend that he had made the decision to join Newcastle, said the Lille head coach. I respect his choice, even if I am disappointed because I would have liked to have continued with him.[LNB] Born in Tourcoing, in the north of France, Cabaye progressed through the youth Academy of Tourcoing FC and joined Lille as a teenager.[LNB] He made his senior debut in the 2004-05 season, went on to represent Lille in the Champions League, and weighed in with 15 goals from a midfield position in the 2009-10 campaign.[LNB] He has not been quite as prolific this season, but his arrival will add some zest and zip to a Magpies midfield that has occasionally appeared somewhat one-paced.[LNB] Pardew, who is also targeting Toulouse left-back Cheikh M'Bengue, is clearly pursuing young players with considerable reserves of energy, but the Magpies boss denies he is attempting to put his own stamp on the squad by moving away from the type of qualities that appealed to his predecessor, Chris Hughton.[LNB] I don't think managers work in terms of assembling a new side just because they've inherited players who were signed by someone else, he said. I certainly don't.[LNB] I came in and took over an experienced, healthy squad that were doing quite well. Basically, we need to build on that, and that process would have been happening whoever the manager is.[LNB]
