• Premier League

Pardew eyes summer spending spree

ESPNsoccernet staff
April 9, 2012
Alan Pardew's signings last summer, such as Demba Ba, have proved a success © Getty Images
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Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew is aiming to bring in "four or five" new signings if his in-form side qualifies for Europe.

Newcastle are currently sixth in the Premier League, just three points off the Champions League places, and are among the favourites to land a Europa League spot.

Pardew had planned to add another two players in the summer regardless of where his side finish, but asked whether European qualification would require a bigger recruitment drive, Pardew told the Sun: "It will change us a little bit.

"I think we would need a bigger squad, therefore where we might only bring in two or three, we might need four or five to bolster the numbers.

"We'll have to see because obviously we've got contracts up here as well, whether we all agree to stay or they go as well. We'll have to wait and see."

Pardew's recruits in the summer of 2011 - such as Yohan Cabaye, Demba Ba and Hatem Ben Arfa - have all been big hits in the Premier League this season, and January signing Papiss Cisse has scored nine goals in eight games to keep the Magpies flying high.

The Toon are hoping to attract the same calibre of player this summer, with Netherlands defender Erik Pieters, France right-back Mathieu Debuchy and FC Twente centre-back Douglas all reportedly on their wanted list.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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