Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew will hold a meeting with director Joe Kinnear today to discuss transfer strategy, with Aston Villa striker Darren Bent reportedly top of his agenda.

Pardew has made Bent his primary transfer target, admitting his interest last week as he looks to take the pressure off Papiss Cisse in attack.

Bent will be allowed to leave Villa this summer for the right price and, according to The Telegraph, Pardew wants the green light to register a formal offer early this week.

Kinnear returned from a holiday in Italy last weekend, with Pardew desperate to press on and conclude transfer business before the season begins.

Magpies owner Mike Ashley has given Kinnear control of the club's transfer policy, but Newcastle have yet to make a signing this summer.