NEWCASTLE United’s summer recruitment drive is set to finally kick into gear after a “very productive” meeting between the Magpies’ chief scout Graham Carr and new director of football Joe Kinnear. United’s transfer business has been delayed by the incredible upheaval at St James’ Park, but a long lunch summit between Carr and Kinnear will be the signal for Newcastle to begin strengthening the squad – with the first set of offers set to be tabled in the next few days. The club are understood to be in the market for at least a centre-back and a striker – with a forward to play alongside Papiss Cissé identified as the priority. Before Alan Pardew headed off on holiday last week, he spoke to Kinnear over the phone and forward Darren Bent and defender James Tomkins, of West Ham, were mentioned. But Carr’s extensive Continental scouting means that Newcastle are unlikely to lose their international focus completely, even if a move for Douglas was scrapped at Kinnear’s insistence. That led to claims that United’s highly-rated talent spotter was on the verge of stepping down but Carr remained in place, and has now held talks with Kinnear over the club’s new recruitment strategy. The director of football is understood to be sympathetic to Pardew’s feeling that more Premier League experience is required to improve on last season’s lowly 16th place. The fact that discussions between Carr and Kinnear have taken place is indicative of a club that is trying to regroup after a week in which Mike Ashley made one of the most controversial appointments of his tenure on Tyneside. The Journal understands that United are ‘open for business’ again after the chaos and uncertainty of the past eight days. As well as discussions on transfer targets, the club are also ready to turn their attention to re-negotiating contracts again – with contact having been made with Hatem Ben Arfa’s representatives over the possibility of a new long-term deal. /Loraine
Posted on: Wed, 26 Jun 2013 08:56:55 +0000