ALAN PARDEW thinks that scouring Europe for transfer targets can lead to greater value for money and, crucially, better talent for Newcastle United.

Pardew has been in France during the past week in the hope of making an early breakthrough in his attempts to reinvest some of the £35m Andy Carroll transfer fee back into his squad.

And sources in Paris claim the Newcastle boss, who has already expressed an interest in Toulouse pair Cheikh M'Bengue and Franck Tabanou, is also keen on Bordeaux striker Cheick Diabate.

Diabate, a 23-year-old Mali international, is available for less than the £14m that clubs are being quoted for another Ligue 1 forward, Lorient's Kevin Gameiro.

Pardew insists he is keeping his options open, with Spain and Holland also known to be two other countries where he has identified targets.

"There is better value, our market is over-priced," he said. "Are they more talented? In some cases, yes. You have to decide whether you want to enter the market here or abroad, but it depends on the players more than anything."

Pardew heads into tomorrow's trip to Chelsea knowing he is still no further forward in the club's contract discussions with Joey Barton and Jose Enrique.

"There are a couple of things outstanding and Enrique is high on that list, at the same time making sure we're on top of the transfers coming in," he said.

"If we were fully fit the squad would look a lot stronger, but that doesn't happen very often and we are under-staffed in terms of the squad."

The lack of options in Pardew's squad is highlighted tomorrow, when he will be asking Alan Smith to play in the heart of midfield for the first time since mid-January.

With Kevin Nolan ruled out after ankle surgery, Pardew is also opting against fielding Cheik Tiote in fear of him picking up a 15th yellow card that would mean a suspension at the start of next season.

"The player's (Tiote) reaction said it all really when I told him and that was the same reaction I had," said Pardew. I was desperate for him to get through these three games without picking up a booking, just to see if he could do it.

"He needs to learn. I thought he was so unlucky against Birmingham because it wasn't a bad challenge. It's not acceptable for him to miss so many games because of suspensions."

With Newcastle safe, Pardew will be looking to give first-team opportunities to youngsters Sami Ameobi, James Tavernier and Kazenga LuaLua in the next eight days.

* Following their three-game tour of the USA, Newcastle's pre-season preparations will continue when they face Championship side Leeds United at Elland Road.

That game is a 2pm kick-off on Sunday, July 31, two weeks before the 2011/12 Premier League season starts.

Before their US trip, Newcastle will travel to Darlington on Friday, July 15 (7.45pm).