But the Newcastle manager knows he was given promises from Mike Ashley that both Andy Carroll and Yohan Cabaye would be staying at the club ... and we all know what happened to those two.
Mike Ashley has always insisted "Every player has a price."
Alan Pardew: "As far as I'm concerned, he's a player who is going to be here.
"i can only tell you what I know, and currently he is a Newcastle player with a long contract.
"Will things change?
"We are looking to change and strengthen in a lot of positions next year, but that won't be one of them."