Sunderland defender most controversial of Toon transfer targets

Concern amongst Newcastle United supporters is at a premium ahead of this season, as the Tyneside faithful look to make sense of Joe Kinnear’s return to the club in a director of football capacity.

And those fans’ worries are unlikely to be appeased any time soon, particularly if Kinnear takes his rumoured interest in Sunderland full-back Phil Bardsley further.

Bardsley, 28, has been told he doesn’t feature in Paolo Di Canio’s plans, with the fiery Italian keen to trim his squad following a raft of summer arrivals at the Stadium of Light.

That has alerted Kinnear, whose job entails identifying suitable transfer targets to improve Alan Pardew’s squad.

But a potential move for the former Manchester United trainee would be met with disdain by Magpies supporters, despite their desperation for the club to do some business.

So far, the Toon have failed to make a single summer signing, a worrying notion considering they could only muster a 16th-place finish last term.

And currently available at 9/1 for relegation, United may prove a shrewd punt, given that their price could tumble should they fail to significantly strengthen in the near future, with Pardew’s attacking options particularly scarce.

However, the Toon have been linked with a number of strikers, with the possibility of their already large French contingent growing seeming strong.

The Magpies are keen on QPR’s Loic Remy, and could tie up a season-long loan deal for the former Marseille man, in which they contribute the vast majority of his hefty Loftus Road wages.

And Newcastle are also awaiting Lyon’s response to their £6.9m offer for powerful French international striker Bafetimbi Gomis, who is desperate to secure a Premier League move.

Scorer of 18 Ligue 1 goals last season, Gomis’ arrival at St. James’ Park could pave the way for Papiss Cisse to exit the club.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.