Pardew: Getting the right noises from transfer targets

The Magpies have been relatively quiet in the transfer market so far this summer, recruiting promising youngsters rather than high-profile names.

They have been thwarted in their initial efforts to sign Mathieu Debuchy from Lille, even though the France international has made it clear he would like to move to Tyneside.

Pardew is convinced that Newcastle will be able to attract their main targets after finishing fifth in the Premier League last season, and is staying calm as he waits for the club to work on the deals.

"It's out of my hands now," Pardew told the Shields Gazette. "We've done the selection process and put a number of players in front of Derek and Lee (Charnley, club secretary), and now it's about getting the players who can take the club forward.

"It's never easy at this level. But the one thing I do know is that we're getting the right noises from the players.

"As has been reported, the players want to come.

"That's because of the success we had last year - that bodes well.

"It's just about getting the deals right."

As well as trying to bring in new faces this summer, Pardew's main focus has been on keeping the nucleus of last season's successful squad intact.

And this week saw the expiry of a well-documented release clause in Demba Ba's contract, with the Senegalese striker always insisting that he remained committed to the club.

"I've always been relaxed about it," said Pardew.

"I think Demba's said all he needed to say - he's a Newcastle player, and he enjoys playing here."