United’s ill-fated tour was interrupted (again) by a rant by José Enríque on Twitter just moments after landing here in Ohio.
Enríque has been unsettled since January, when Andy Carroll quit the club and the unsettled Spaniard said: “The club will never fight for the top six again with his policy.”
Pardew says he wants to make sure that United are well covered in the event of Enríque leaving St James’ Park just before the transfer window ccloses – as happened when the Magpies lost Carroll.
Enríque has not been subject of a bid from lopng-time admirers Liverpool yet, but it is clear that the Spaniard is not fully focused on Newcastle.
Alan Pardew: “We have offered him the best contract that has been offered to anyone here for a long while and we cannot do any more, really.
“Obviously if someone comes in before the window closes, with a year left, it would be difficult for us.
“As a manager, of course I want him to stay. The worst thing for us would be if he went late, that’s the problem.
“We are trying to do some business because we need to cover ourselves in that area between now and the end of the window regardless of Enríque.
“I am confident well get at least one, and maybe two, big players in here.
“I think Joey Barton will be here. He has said all along that he wants to stay and I want him to stay, so there is no conflict there.”