Alan Pardew on Newcastle United continuously being recommended Alexandre Lacazette

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Newcastle United had Alexandre Lacazette on their radar while Alan Pardew in charge.

Alan Pardew has told The Debate, which was broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event on August 8th, that Newcastle United kept being recommended Alexandre Lacazette while he was in charge at St. James’ Park.

Newcastle had strong contacts in France during Pardew’s reign, and often did business with Ligue 1 sides.

And Lacazette was one of the names which Newcastle kept trying to sign.

“I’ve scouted him for a long period, the last period for three or four years,” Pardew said. “We had good contacts in France, particularly at Newcastle, and his name kept coming up, kept coming up, kept coming up. I think he’ll deliver for Arsenal. We couldn’t afford him.”

Arsenal paid £52 million to sign Lacazette from Lyon this summer, according to the Telegraph, after the Frenchman enjoyed a brilliant campaign last term.

Lacazette was a frequent scorer for Lyon, with the 26-year-old becoming one of the most fearsome marksmen in European football.

Newcastle, meanwhile, are still looking for a striker this summer to compete with Dwight Gayle and Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Newcastle have had a difficult transfer window to date, with Rafael Benitez not having the budget to strengthen his squad as much as he had hoped.