The deal that see’s Kevin Nolan switch Newcastle for London is expected to cost the Hammers £4.5 million and £55k a week in wages for 5 years.

Nolan will take the armband at the Hammers as the departure of Scott Parker is now expected to Spurs. But what does this move mean for the Toon.

The wages and squad is now freed up even further to help Newcastle United launch a double swoop for Tranquillo Barnetta of Switzerland who recently made headlines smashing in a double against England in the Euro 2012 qualifier.

The other long term target of Graham Carr is one Blaise Matuidi of Saint Etienne aged 24. He is a defensive midfielder and would be competing with Tiote in the heart of the Toon’s midfield. Pardew and his backroom staff obviously feel there will be times when Cheik Tiote will be missing from action due to suspensions and the African Cup of Nations.

The highly rated Matuidi has already made his debut in the French national side under Laurent Blanc so we are safe for cover when Tiote heads off for international duty. He came through the acclaimed Clairefontaine academy which produced the likes of existing favourite Hatem Ben Arfa. It seems our scouting network have a taste for French academy produce.

Barnetta is one to excite the Toon aged 26. It is no secret he is seeking a move away from Bayer Leverkusen and Newcastle might just tempt Tranquillo into plying his trade in the Premier League. Predominantly a winger he can surprisingly play as a defensive midfielder as well.

Along with this double swoop Newcastle are expected to tie up the deals for Neil Taylor from Swansea and Demba Ba from West Ham.

The biggest issue for Newcastle United fans is that the core of our successful team for the past 2 seasons is being ripped apart. In football we all know there can be no sentiment as players reach a certain stage and their legs die which can’t be carried easily in the Premier League. Our new policy clearly seems to be players below the 30 year old marker.

We certainly last season lacked pace and energy and its clearly been earmarked as a must fix. If indeed these 4 signings come off to add to the already bagged Yohan Cabaye then we really are still light weight up top.

The team sheet for the Toon will still look relatively lackluster. Many fans hoped for a marque signing to carry the burden up top but at the moment that looks like a long way off materialising. It could be the case though that we are going to go more with a raised level of bodies up top rather than the one world class hot shot.

Do you think we could get by with a striking squad of Ameobi, Lovenkrands, Ba, Long and Erdinc? I have my doubts as there is a big burden on new shoulders which aren’t proven prolific at this level.