The Magpies' biggest off-season signing was expected to be Lille's French international right-back Mathieu Debuchy, but the move has stalled despite the player himself expressing his intention to swap northern France for Tyneside.

Pardew says he is still hopeful that move will go through and insists Newcastle are able to attract their main targets to the club after a fifth-place finish in the English Premier League last season.

"It's out of my hands now," Pardew told the Shields Gazette.

"We've done the selection process and put a number of players in front of Derek and Lee (Charnley, club secretary), and now it's about getting the players who can take the club forward.

"It's never easy at this level. But the one thing I do know is that we're getting the right noises from the players.

"As has been reported, the players want to come.

"That's because of the success we had last year - that bodes well.

"It's just about getting the deals right."

While attempting to take the club forward with new signings, Pardew's job has also involved keeping his best players at the Sports Direct Arena.

Demba Ba had been the star name most expected to leave the club but this week saw the expiry of a release clause in his contract which now means he is unlikely to leave the club.

"I've always been relaxed about it," Pardew said.

"I think Demba's said all he needed to say - he's a Newcastle player, and he enjoys playing here."