NEWCASTLE UNITED are in danger of missing out on more attacking targets this summer as progress under new director of football Joe Kinnear continues to stutter.

Reports over the weekend suggested the Magpies were close to making a breakthrough in the transfer market after club officials held talks with Lyon striker Bafetimbi Gomis over a potential £4m move, but as of yet nothing has materialised.

Although the 27-year-old has revealed a desire to join long-term admirers Newcastle, there are other clubs monitoring the situation with Aston Villa having also held talks over a possible move to the Midlands.

Furthermore, French media yesterday reported that Tottenham had contacted Lyon over the French international with Andre Villas- Boas also looking to bring in a striker or two during the close season.

Given Gomis’ public ‘come and get me’ plea, Newcastle still appear to be in the driving seat to sign the former St Etienne front man, but with time ticking and other clubs showing an interest, manager Alan Pardew won’t want to see another target go elsewhere.

The Magpies boss has already missed out on Pierre- Emerick Aubameyang, who opted to sign for Borussia Dortmund instead, and has spoken of the club’s lack of depth in the attacking department during his side’s pre-season tour to Portugal this week.

And Gomis isn’t the only player Newcastle face competition to sign.

Pardew, who last night revealed youngster Adam Campbell would go out on loan for six months when he signs a new striker, identified Aston Villa’s Darren Bent as one of his top targets at the beginning of the summer, but a move for the England international has also failed to materialise.

Villa are digging their heels in over an £8m asking price, with Newcastle owner Mike Ashley refusing to fork out more than £5m for the striker.

Bent has also expressed a willingness to move to St James’ Park, but there is interest from London with Fulham ready to make a bid for the former Sunderland man too.

The 29-year-old is currently training with Villa’s youth team after being frozen out by manager Paul Lambert and the striker confirmed to fans, in a conversation filmed on a mobile phone, that he was waiting for either Newcastle or Fulham to make a move.

However, like Newcastle, Fulham aren’t willing to reach Villa’s £8m valuation of the player and it seems unless they change their chance on the figure, a protracted move will continue to drag on.

The Magpies are also monitoring Loic Remy’s situation with Queens Park Rangers willing to let the forward leave Loftus Road, but Harry Redknapp has revealed the club has received no offers to sign him thus far.

There was speculation Pardew could make a renewed offer for Remy, who made a last-minute u-turn to sign for Rangers instead of Newcastle in January, but Redknapp feels the forward’s impending rape case is putting clubs off.

Meanwhile, Shane Ferguson has completed a seasonlong loan deal at Birmingham City.

It will be Ferguson’s second spell at St Andrews having impressed former Magpies midfielder Lee Clark last season.

Dan Gosling is also close to leaving St James’ Park with Crystal Palace set to end his injury-hit three years on Tyneside.

Meanwhile, Fabricio Coloccini was sent off in an ill-tempered friendly as Newcastle earned a 1-1 draw at Pacos de Ferreira last night.

Shola Ameobi scored his second goal in as many matches to cancel out Caetano’s early opener for the Portuguese hosts.

But it was a double sendingoff which was the game’s main talking point, as Caetano and Magpies captain Coloccini both received their marching orders for a firsthalf clash United had numerous chances to grab the victory, with substitute Haris Vuckic going closest late on as he struck the post.

Middlesbrough target Vitor was on the bench for the hosts.