Pardew Reveals the Strikers Topping his Summer Wishlist

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has confirmed that he would like to try and sign Darren bent and Loic Remy this summer as he attempts to bolster his attacking line up.

After a season to forget it seems Pardew is desperate to make some positive additions in the coming weeks after the club returned to pre-season training.

Pardew will work closely with new director of football Joe Kinnear to assess transfer targets but it seems as though a new front line is high on the agenda despite signing Yoan Gouffran in January.

Bent and Remy have been linked with moves away from their repesctive clubs but it is the first time that the Newcastle boss has spoken candidly about the pair.

"Both of those players are on our list. I make no bones about that. But they are under contract at other clubs. It's difficult, you have to be careful," Pardew told the Northern Echo.

"It's nice for our fans to hear names, but I don't want to disrupt other clubs' preparations. We have a list of four or five strikers who will push (Papiss) Cisse, Shola (Ameobi), Adam Campbell and Yoan Gouffran because that will be important next season.

"We do need two strikers. Last year I didn't think there was enough competition in that area for a Premier League team."

Bent has consistently been linked with a move away from Aston Villa after finding his opportunities severely limited under Paul Lambert. Even with first choice striker Christian Benteke handing in a transfer request it is unlikely the Midlands club would stand in the way of his exit.

The Northern Echo believe Bent would be available for around £6m, while Remy is believed to have a £7m release clause in his contract at Queens Park Rangers.

The France international may well be looking to leave west London after QPR suffered relegation as it is unlikely that he will want to play in the second tie or English football.

While Pardew is clearly interested in signing these players he has called for patience from Newcastle supporters as he admits it is difficult to tie up deals early in the transfer window.

We are one of those clubs who find it difficult to move early," he added. "If you're Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea ... you are sure you can do your business now.

"You like things done sooner rather than later, but if I have to wait a bit longer then I have no problem with that.

"I could put a team out at Manchester City on the opening day that could win with what we have got. But we need to strengthen and I need to strengthen this squad to make it ready for a 38-game season."