Newcastle told to stump up £14m for Tottenham striker
Published:Fresh from confirming the deal to bring French winger Gabriel Obertan to St James’ Park on a five year contract from Manchester United, Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is now looking to add a reliable goalscorer to his squad.
Pardew, who this week has publicly backed unsettled midfielder Joey Barton to remain at the club and allowed him to train with the first team, looks to have identified Tottenham’s Russian striker Roman Pavlyuchenko as the man to bring Premier League experience to his forward line.
Pavlyuchenko, who was signed from Spartak Moscow for a fee thought to be in the region of £14m three years ago, has previously expressed a desire to remain at White Hart Lane if he is given more playing time by Harry Redknapp.
The Spurs boss, thought to be in the market for a new striker himself, is likely to let the 29-year-old leave if Newcastle match the asking price; reported to again be £14m.
Newcastle have already signed Demba Ba on a free from West Ham, following his successful twelve-game stint in the Premier League last season in which he scored seven goals.
Pavlyuchenko’s scoring record is not as impressive as Ba’s having managed 10 goals in 28 games in the 2010/11 Premier League season.
Pardew will be hoping that together they can fill the void left by Andy Carroll in January.
If the Magpies are unable to conclude the deal for Pavlyuchenko, they will reportedly change the focus of their attentions to Paris Saint-Germain’s Mevlut Erdinic.
The 24-year-old Turkey international was impressive in Ligue 1 last season for the French side scoring eight goals, but it is Pavlyuchenko’s experience of English football that is attracting Newcastle.
Since the Barton affair many people have been tipping Newcastle for relegation and they are currently trading at 4/1.
Pardew needs goals to keep Newcastle in the division after losing Carroll and Kevin Nolan last season and with the season starting on Saturday, he needs to act fast.
