Best could leave Magpies after Nolan exit

WEST HAM'S new captain Kevin Nolan aimed a thinly veiled swipe at Newcastle Uniteds decision makers yesterday before it emerged manager Alan Pardew wants to offload another goalscorer.

With question marks still surrounding who will replace the 12-goal Nolan - or Andy Carroll who netted 11 before his £35m sale to Liverpool in January - the Magpies have now informed clubs that Leon Best is for sale.

Best grabbed his chance after the departure of Carroll by scoring six goals in the top-flight, making him Newcastle's joint third leading goalscorer last season in the league.

Pardew feels this summer could be the perfect time to sell him and is seeking a quick £4m sale for the striker.

West Ham striker Demba Ba, who has a clause in his three-year contract allowing him to leave Upton Park following relegation, is on the verge of moving to St James' Park, while Swansea full-back Neil Taylor has been on Tyneside finalising his £1m transfer.

But, particularly following the sale of captain Nolan to West Ham, Pardew knows the fans are demanding quick progress on other fronts. Yohan Cabaye, from Lille, has been the only arrival to date.

Paris St Germain's Turkish striker Mevlut Erdinc, Bayer Leverkusen's Tranquillo Barnetta and St Etienne's Blaise Matuidi are high in his thinking.

Nolan signed a five-year deal at West Ham, where he has teamed up with his former Bolton manager Sam Allardyce, and immediately hinted the length of the deal was always key in his decision.

He had asked Newcastle's owner Mike Ashley to offer him a five-year deal and was frustrated when they were only prepared to offer him the option of a third year, which would have seen his £42,000-a-week weekly wage rise to £50,000 dependent on the team's success.

Nolan, who turns 29 a week today, said: "The be all and end all was that the club actually wanted me and the owners put faith in me and have given me a security of contract. Now it's my time to repay them."

Pardew was keen for Nolan to stay. He has, though, insisted the timing was right to let such an influential member of the dressing room leave after an agreement had not been reached with Nolan over a new deal.

"I am aware that the club made Kevin a good offer to stay but could not agree over length of contract offered," he said in a club statement. "This obviously happens in football and everybody needs to move on.

"I would like to thank Kevin for his sterling efforts as a player and captain of this club, especially since I took over last season. He displayed admirable leadership qualities and I wish him every success at West Ham. Its a great club and Im sure he will thrive there."

Nolan is now excited about the prospect of what lay ahead after being handed the captain's armband by Allardyce, the former Newcastle boss.

"It's been a bit of a whirlwind but obviously once I knew that they wanted me they have shown a certain hunger and desire to make sure I become a West Ham player," said Nolan.

"Having the chance to link up with Sam again is massive and obviously coming to such a massive club is great for me. I'm very sad to leave Newcastle but I'm coming to another massive club in my eyes and hopefully I can start off and be as successful as I was there."

With cash in the bank, Pardew expects to be given the money to reinvest in his squad and an announcement regarding Ba and Taylor are imminent.

Pardew said: "We are looking to complete on a number of deals over the next month or so and I am sure, with the quality of signings I anticipate coming into the club, we should look forward to exciting times as we look to establish the club as a genuine force in the top half of the Premier League."

But even with Hatem Ben Arfa and Dan Gosling expected to play bigger roles next season after serious injury, Pardew must reinforce his midfield.

Matuidi, a defensive midfielder, is high in his sights, but St Etienne are insisting they will not sell him for less than the 13m euros release clause he has in his contract.

The French club are also adamant there has been no contact with Newcastle, although Matuidi is in their sights.