Pardew linked to Bolton´s Davies

Newcastle United are preparing a three million pounds bid for Bolton midfielder Mark Davies as they look to European football.

United want to sign the former Wolves player to bolster their midfield options ahead of a campaign that will include Europa League football.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew sees Davies as the ideal recruit to intensify the competition for places in midfield where French international Yohan Cabaye and Ivorian Cheikh Tiote struck up a formidable partnership last season.

The pair were instrumental in the fifth-placed finish in the Premier League that means Pardew’s side, who were relegated three years ago, could look forward to a return to European football.

Bolton manager Owen Coyle is reluctant to allow 24-year-old Davies to quit the Reebok Stadium following the Trotters’ relegation to the Championship but it is understood that the offer will be enough to prise him away from the Lancashire club.

“They have had their eye on him for some time now and so if all goes well then Mark will be a Newcastle player this summer,” a Tyneside source told Goal.com.

“They are talking about three million pounds for a player who did well for Bolton even though they went down.

“He is a bright, skilful and hard-working player who would fit nicely into Pardew’s team but it would be made clear to him that he would have to get past Cabaye and Tiote to get into the first team.”

Newcastle’s interest in Davies suggests that Danny Guthrie, who has been linked with Aston Villa, will be allowed to leave when the transfer window opens in June with his contract expiring in the next fortnight.

Former Manchester United full-back Danny Simpson, who is reported to be interesting Fulham, will also be allowed to leave having rejected a new deal.

Newcastle are also being tipped to sign 22-year-old full-back Romain Amalfitano from French Ligue 2 club Stade de Reims with a deal already agreed.