Alan Pardew expects Newcastle spending spree
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Newcastle boss Alan Pardew remains convinced he will be given the bulk of the £35million the club raked in when they sold Andy Carroll to strengthen his squad.
Pardew spent most of January telling anyone who wanted to hear it that the England striker would not be sold until Liverpool made the Magpies an offer they could not refuse.
The manager was devastated to lose a player who had made a major impact in the Barclays Premier League but comforted by the belief that he would get the proceeds this summer provided he could keep the club in the top flight.
Owner Mike Ashley's critics remain unconvinced but Pardew insists he is expecting to be able to spend significantly.
Speaking on a BBC Radio Newcastle phone-in, Pardew said: "I'm as sure as I can be that we will.
"We are in plans and negotiations with a couple of players out of contract in the summer.
"I understand the frustration with what's gone in the past. If I was a fan here would I be jumping up and down about Mike Ashley? Probably not.
"But he doesn't want to put his investment into this club to come here and lose games and be abused.
"I know Mike Ashley this well - there's no point him paying for me and my staff to fly around Europe if he had no interest in buying players. Some of the expense is phenomenal.
"I genuinely feel he wants to say, 'I got it right here'. Hopefully he's going to prove that."
Whatever proportion of the cash Pardew does get is likely to have to cover wages as well as transfer fees as the club continues to work within a pay structure.
However, he believes the lure of St James' Park is huge for players like Ivory Coast international Cheick Tiote, who has been a big hit since his arrival from Dutch club FC Twente last summer.
He said: "The pool isn't big if your agenda is young players who fit into our wage structure.
"We will be in the same field as Marseilles, Villa, Everton and Tottenham, so you have got to bypass all the barriers to get somebody like Cheick.
"They are out there, but you have got to work really, really hard.
"But the players I have approached would love to come to play with 52,000 roaring them on.
"You can see players who have got a chance of Champions League football in France, Belgium and Holland playing in front of 10,000 people week in, week out.
"Here, you can play every weekend in front of 50,000, and you have got to be inspired by that."
Pardew freely admits he is still working to win over his own detractors after he replaced Chris Hughton in controversial circumstances, and he knows he is tarred with the same brush as Ashley by many.
But he is adamant that both he and the owner are determined to bring success to Tyneside.
He said: "I don't think I'm going to win the fans over until they see we are a Premier League club next year, and a kind of rebuilding of the team.
"There are times when I say to Mike [he should speak to the fans)], but it's not in him. But he genuinely wants to prove he can make this a success."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments