Alan Pardew calls for fresh approach to transfer window after unsettling Cabaye bid

Alan Pardew was not happy about the timing of Arsenal's Cabaye bid Credit: PA

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has called for a fresh look at the policy of not closing the transfer window before the Premier League season begins.

The Magpies chief felt compelled to pull Yohan Cabaye out of Monday night's 4-0 defeat at Manchester City after news of Arsenal's bid for the midfielder, believed to be around £10m, became public.

Pardew did not believe Cabaye was in the right mental state to do himself justice and sent him back to the north-east ahead of his side's hammering at the Etihad Stadium.

In addition to his annoyance at Arsenal for failing to show his club some respect in their transfer dealings, Pardew also believes it highlights a flaw in the transfer window, with clubs at risk of losing their key men after the campaign has got underway.

Other than shoving the season back to the beginning of September, it is impossible to imagine a plausible solution.

Yet it is hard not to feel some sympathy for Pardew either given how badly timed Arsenal's approach was.

Pardew could have asked Cabaye to play.

But he felt the Frenchman, who has also attracted interest from Manchester United this summer, would have found it impossible to concentrate.