Pardew targets £2m Mariappa

Newcastle are ready to make a bid for the £2m-rated Watford centre-half Adrian Mariappa.

Alan Pardew wants to add another defender to his squad before the transfer window closes following the season-long injury to Steven Taylor. He has identified the 25-year-old as a player who can make the step up from the Championship as Newcastle push for a European place. Mariappa has signed a contract extension at Watford until next year, but Newcastle believe the allure of the Premier League will tempt him to leave.

Papiss Cissé has arrived for £8m and if Newcastle can land Mariappa, that should be the end of their January spending. The club have been linked to Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen, but any move is more likely in the summer.