Magpies again linked with Micah Richards, but Alan Pardew would have to make space in his defensive ranks to sign Manchester City defender
Alan Pardew has been told he would have to ship out one of his four centre-backs if he wanted to introduce a fresh face into his back four.
The Magpies have again been linked with Manchester City defender Micah Richards in the last 24 hours, a player who was offered to them earlier this summer.
But with Fabricio Coloccini, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Mike Williamson and Steven Taylor in his squad, Pardew would be unable to justify Richards steep salary as an add on to the clubs overall wage budget.
And while Richards is available at a knockdown price with just a year left on his contract, the 26-year-old would only come into consideration if one of Uniteds four centre-halves were moved on.
Newcastle are understood to be open to selling Steven Taylor, who also has a year left on his contract and goes into the new season behind the pecking order behind Williamson and Coloccini.
Pardew is likely to start with that pairing for this weekends opening Premier League game against Man City.
