Enrique problem for Pardew

Alan Pardew admits Newcastle's contract discussions with Jose Enrique have reached a stalemate.

The Magpies are keen to tie their Spanish full-back down on fresh terms, but have so far been unable to reach an agreement.

A lucrative package has been put to Enrique, but he has made it clear that he favours a move to a club that will be competing in Europe.

Pardew fears it is only a matter of time before he will be forced into a sale, with there little point in retaining the services of an unsettled player.

The same could be said for Joey Barton, who is also set to run down his contract at St James' Park, but Pardew claims it is Enrique who is most likely to be on his way out of the club.

He said: "The big difference between the two is that Joey seems pretty focused on Newcastle, whereas the noises coming out of Jose's camp are that he wants to get a new club playing Champions League football.

"Unfortunately we can't offer him that but that seems to be his focus. Hopefully that will change but we've offered him a massive contract which he does not want to sign, so it's a difficult position.

"There have been no concrete offers. But if he goes, it is going to leave a big hole in the team. It would need filling quickly."
Strange business

While there seems to be little chance of Enrique committing his future to Newcastle, Pardew has refused to rule out the prospect of Barton agreeing fresh terms.

The midfielder is disappointed that the Magpies have so far refused to offer him an extension to his current deal, but that situation may change as the 2011/12 campaign unfolds.

Pardew said: "We are at a situation where we will play this season as it comes and we will all sit down at the end of the year and, who knows, we might do a deal then.

"You never know in this game. It's a strange business we are in.

"He's a good player, he's playing well for us and that's all I care about."



Personally, I wish he would just piss off now. Sick of him. Sign a replacement and move on. We don't want players at this club who don't want to be here

 

I have to agree mate, whilst Enrique is a good player, this is dragging on too much and we would be stupid to allow this to run up to the end of the window and leave ourselves in the position of having Ferguson as the only left back at the club.

Get rid now, Liverpool would almost certainly take him, although they aren't in Europe but i think Arsenal would be his best bet having sold Clichy.

 

If he went to Liverpool i'd lose all respect for the guy. He want's a team in the Champions League and Liverpool aren't even in the Europa!

 

Difference is they WANT Enrique.............Barton probably wants 5 more years like Nolan. Taxi for Barton!

 

No one's going to buy him though. Liverpool want Cissokho and Arsenal have said they wont replace Clichy. Barca look the most likely right now.

 

Barca came out last week and said they weren't interested they are trying to sign (forget his name) someone from valencia

pardew needs to set a deadline of a week or two and then transfer list him and go for a replacement the last thing we need is a mandy situation again going into the new season with fergie as LB and perch as cover

 

The worst thing is we've made him some ridiculously huge offer as well and he wont take it, but no one will sign him either. Transfer list him and if he doesnt find a club within 3 weeks of the end of the transfer window then he's staying here for another year, tough.

 

Iv e got a horrible feeling we could lose him for £zero end of season

 

enrique is a good player but he is not irreplaceable, we should get rid of a player who doesnt want to play for us anymore and immediatly should start the process of signing such a replacement.

i cant hold it against enrique though. he has "done his time" so to speak, he stayed with us when we got relegated and helped us get back to where we belong

 

I agree however the club would not lose out at as if we sold him for a price it would just go into fat mikes pocket

 

What happened to M'bengue (spelling)
I would put an offer in for him either way.

 

Exactly, and he isnt in it for the money either if we've made such a good offer. He just wants CL football and international recognition, which he is easily good enough for. Would much rather he left now than next summer though.

 

I want him to go now. I like him as a footballer and I cant blame him for wanting Champions league football. We must respect him for not accepting a huge offer and declaring he wants CL football but this is not good for us now. We should slap a £10 million price tag on him and offer him to Europes finest. I am worried we lose him for free next year. We dont want a player in the last year of his contract playing for us when he wants away. He wont perform.

Its different with Barton as he wants to stay. I think we should give him a 3 year deal with an option (for the club) to extend.... This is good for us all.

 

Bigger mistake was leaving some of these contracts to their last year ... Hands most of the initiative to the player/agent ..

It's unfortunately symptomatic of the relegation / promotion bounce of the last few years .. this is why it takes a few years to establish a club in the EPL ..

 

No way would Ashley let that happen.

Ivé always like Enrique but I wish he would just go.

 

An apparent offer was rejected.
Dont think we would go any higher.

 

We need to get a shift on. If Enrique leaves with a couple of weeks before window shuts we
will do what we do best. Buy someone ****e and make do.

 

Perhaps he's just waiting to see who the club brings in though?

 

I wish Pardew would should up talking, he's saying what I think we all know anyway, constantly.

 

I know it's getting abit boring now.