Alan Pardew wants value for money as he plans a summer spending spree at Newcastle this summer.
Magpies boss aims to make his mark on team in the summer
Alan Pardew wants value for money as he plans a summer spending spree at Newcastle this summer.
Cheick Tiote arrived from FC Twente last summer for what would be considered a snip at just £3.5 million.
His ability quickly came to the fore as other teams recognised his useful combative qualities that prompted Newcastle to tie him down to an improved six-and-a-half-year deal six months after arriving at St James' Park.
Armed with the £35million from the Andy Carroll sale, Pardew is targeting players of this ilk to reshape his team - small reputations but big talents.
But Pardew acknowledges he faces an uphill task, saying: "That's not easy, not for the sort of fee we paid. There are players like Cheick out there, but they are a lot more money than we paid for Cheick.
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"It's difficult, but it's something that [chief scout] Graham Carr, myself and my scouting team are all on top of."
Despite being keen to recruit players in the summer, the former West Ham chief also wants to retain the ones that he has.
There has been intense speculation over the future of skipper Kevin Nolan who has now indicated he wants to sign a new deal.
Uncertainty also clouds Joey Barton's future and that of Jose Enrique as Pardew acknowledges keeping his present squad together could as difficult as adding to it.
"Getting players over the line, whether they are players you have at the club already or new players, is one of the most difficult parts of the game, convincing players that the future here is bright, which I think it is," he added.
Foundation
"We have got a good foundation to go forward now, so attracting players shouldn't be a problem and hopefully the financial side of it, we can find.
"We are competing against Champions League teams and foreign teams - it's always difficult.
"They are not going to be done quickly, but hopefully they will be done."
Newcastle face Liverpool on Sunday and doubts remain over Carroll's fitness ahead of the clash.
His late move to Liverpool meant the Magpies were unable to buy any sort of replacement but that is an area of the team Pardew knows needs investment.
"For sure, our pool of strikers needs boosting, there's no doubt about that, and that will be high on the agenda," he concluded.
