Newcastle United Transfer News and Rumours Tracker: Week of March 24

Just eight games stand between Newcastle United and the end of the 2013-14 season, and the transfer rumour mill is already in full swing. 

With a top-half finish seemingly assured, manager Alan Pardew and his team are working behind the scenes ahead of what Mark Douglas of The Journal calls a “substantial reshaping” of their squad. 

As many as seven new faces could arrive at St. James’ Park this summer, while a number of players are also expected to depart.

So as the countdown to the end of term gathers pace, Bleacher Report takes a look at some of the names being mentioned in the local and national press this week.

Last updated: Mar. 25, 9:00 a.m. GMT 

Fabricio Coloccini

Ian Horrocks/Getty Images

Newcastle United have reiterated their desire to keep captain Fabricio Coloccini at the club once the current season has ended.

The 32-year-old defender has already been to Argentina twice in 2014, amid rumours that the fan favourite has his heart set on a move back to his home country.

Coloccini almost left the club last January for personal reasons, with San Lorenzo eager to land the former Deportivo La Coruna man.

In any case, Magpies manager Alan Pardew wants to persuade his skipper to remain on Tyneside.

“I am hoping we both make the same decision because I want him to stay. He is an essential part of this team, one of my most important players,” he told Simon Bird of the Mirror. 

Diafra Sakho

Sang Tan/Associated Press/Associated Press

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew could make Diafra Sakho his latest recruit from France.

Newcastle United are no strangers to raiding France for players.

According to John Cross of The Mirror, they could be about to shop across the English Channel once more. 

Senegalese forward Diafra Sakho is said to be on the Toon’s shortlist.

Newcastle are looking to restructure their strikeforce, and with just 12 months left on Sakho's contract, current club Metz could be willing to sell.

The 24-year-old has scored 15 goals in 29 appearances for the Ligue 2 table-toppers this term. 

Loic Remy

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

As the season heads toward its climax, speculation surrounding the future of Loic Remy is growing by the day.

The on-loan striker has made a significant impact at St. James’ Park since his temporary switch from Queens Park Rangers last August, and he is the club’s top scorer this term.

However, his 13 Premier League goals have alerted North London giants Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, according to The Mirror’s Alan Oliver.

What's more, the Frenchman is allegedly keen on a move to the capital.

The report suggests QPR have placed a £15 million price tag on the forward’s head.

A source close to the player said: “If Arsenal want him that’s where he will go. Where else would a big fan of Thierry Henry want to go?” 

Romelu Lukaku

Jon Super/Associated Press

Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has urged Magpies owner Mike Ashley to keep a close eye on Romelu Lukaku’s situation this summer.

The Chelsea striker was on Pardew’s radar last year, but as The Journal’s Mark Douglas reported, he failed to persuade close friend Jose Mourinho to allow the Belgian to switch to the North East.

However, the same source at The Journal suggests the club's interest in the forward, currently enjoying a loan spell at Everton, is far from over.

"I think he is a player a lot of clubs will be looking at in the summer," Pardew said. "I don’t think Everton will get a free run at him." 

Remy Cabella

David Vincent/Associated Press

According to Mark Douglas in The Journal, Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley will rubber stamp up to seven new signings this summer—and French midfielder Remy Cabella could be one of them.

The Magpies are keen to reorganise their squad and breath new life into one or two positions in particular.

One such department is central midfield, where the absence of Yohan Cabaye has been substantial since his January switch to Paris Saint-Germain.

Toon manager Alan Pardew sees Cabella as the ideal replacement, and the report suggests work is already underway in an effort to prise the 24-year-old from current club Montpellier.