By Mark Finlay
Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew admits that the club is still desperate to sign a striker.
According to Pardew it has been a difficult summer in the transfer market, with the only signing Loic Remy on a season long loan side-lined with a calf injury until next month.
Pardew said that the club was in negotiations for Aston Villas Darren Bent before the striker opted to join Fulham, and told reporters that the magpie’s lack of success in the transfer market was not for the lack of trying.
“It’s important we get another striker in,” said Pardew, whose side begin their Premier League campaign against Manchester City on Monday night.
“Last year we were shy of strikers especially after Demba Ba left, and we need to make sure we have a sound back-room in terms of strikers.
“It’s always frustrating in the transfer market but we’ve got a strong squad and we did some business last January which put us in good fettle because the six months of experience they got will stand them in good stead.
“I think the figures the top clubs are paying out is ridiculous. We can’t compete with them on a financial level so we have to be as clever and shrewd as we can, and get players in of the same quality but for a lot less money.”
