Well as we predicted last week (Mevlut Erdinc could become NUFC focus again) we expected Kevin Gameiro to sign for PSG with the knock on effect being Newcastle would then make a play for current PSG striker Mevlüt Erdinç.

The Turkish striker has been the subject of a bid from us before and we have made a renewed bid. It is believed that PSG even after their Qatari investment will need to sell in order to fund the £10 million Gameiro signing. We bid last summer for the 24 year old striker but PSG weren’t interested because they had not had him that long.

Alan Pardew was quoted, “Erdinç has always been on our radar. He’s a very good player and that is all I will say at the moment. We had a bit of a disappointment with Kevin Gameiro as he has decided to go elsewhere. We made a fantastic offer to the club and to him but these things happen.”

“We tried very hard on that one, but we always knew there would be setbacks along the way and we have always had other people in mind, deals we have been trying to keep to ourselves for obvious reasons. We are working extremely hard to make those deals happen and I’m pretty happy with how things have gone so far.”

“We should have another signing finished in the next few days, and we will able to confirm that one as well.”

The only issue from our point of view is he has not been too prolific at a time when that is a must for NUFC. Erdinc is best alongside a target man and our opinion as good a squad player as Shola is hes not one to be in the starting eleven. Rumours persist about Demba Ba but we all know he has severe issues with his knee which knowing Newcastle’s history would bear fruit.

Pardew continued, “Demba Ba has done very well since he came to England and he’s a good player.”

“I’m very much aware of him and I probably know what he is capable of more than most because I’ve known about him for a while, before he went to West Ham. We’re not the only club who are interested, but we are trying. There is always competition and we will keep plugging away.”

Referring to Erdinc Pardew commented, “If we can get him and another two in before the end of next week I’ll still be looking for another two new faces to join us before the start of the season. To get a player like Yohan Cabaye in so early has been a big bonus. Not many clubs have managed that sort of business yet so I’m very happy with that.”

Pardew is correct in that we have so far probably gotten bargain of the window yet again in Cabaye. It certainly will have raised a few eyebrows at some of the leagues clubs. We need to carry that momentum and get as many of the bodies in needed for the season before the preseason tour of the USA gets underway. We need our players bedded in as much as possible for the first fixture.

Fixtures are to be announced for next season on Friday 17th June 2011 but as always they will be blitzed by TV rescheduling.