Newcastle United Want to Keep Loic Remy, says Alan Pardew

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has expressed his desire to sign Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur striker target Loic Remy on a permanent transfer.

The 27-year-old was on a season-long loan at the Tyneside club from Queens Park Rangers. He has been linked with a summer move away from the Hoops, with north London clubs Arsenal and Spurs keen on landing him.

Newcastle allowed their star midfielder Yohan Cabaye to leave St James' Park in January after the French international signed for Paris Saint-Germain. Pardew believes the Magpies want to sign Remy on a permanent transfer as he feels it will be difficult for the Tyneside club to find a replacement for the French striker.

"We're not completely resigned (on Remy), we're working hard to keep him. He has been an important part of our season - if you take him away, we'll need to replace him for sure. We lost Cabaye in the Christmas period and that has been difficult for us," Pardew told the Express.

"I think we've got to give the fans and club a lift in the summer by recruiting well, and hopefully we can do that. It's obvious that we need to recruit offensive players that are good enough for Newcastle and that's what we're going to focus on."

Newcastle will face an uphill task to seal a permanent deal in signing Remy. The Gunners and Spurs are in need of a striker to bolster their attacking division and the two north London clubs are set for a summer battle in signing the QPR player.

Meanwhile, Remy was in the stands during Arsenal's 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates, which has led to speculation that the Gunners could make an approach for the striker.

However, Arsene Wenger has played down rumours linking Remy with a move to the Emirates and suggested that he did not invite the striker for Arsenal's last home game of the season.

"Honestly, I've just been informed that Loic Remy was here and I didn't know. So don't see any sign of us signing Remy [from that]. I hope he paid for his ticket! I did not invite him," Wenger explained.

Remy has scored 14 goals and managed three assists from 26 league appearances for the Magpies.