NEWCASTLE United will assess their options in the transfer market before deciding whether to make Luuk de Jong’s loan move permanent – and they could go back to Germany in their search for a new striker.

Once Sunday’s final Premier League game against Liverpool is over, the Magpies will step up their summer transfer plans when Alan Pardew meets owner Mike Ashley and managing director Lee Charnley next week to discuss their strategy.

Discussions have already taken place between the powers that be at St James’ Park and while there is a need to strengthen the squad in a number of areas, the need for attacking reinforcements will be high on their list.

There are question marks over the majority of Newcastle’s strike department going into an interesting summer on Tyneside with Loic Remy set to lead the exodus from St James’ Park to fulfil his wishes of playing Champions League football next season.

Shola Ameobi is also expected to leave the club when his current deal expires, although recent form has prompted suggestions that the 32-year-old could be given the chance to stay on for another year.

Pardew will also have a decision to make over Luuk de Jong, who has failed to score since arriving from Borussia Monchengladbach in January.

The 23-year-old is keen to settle on Tyneside permanently, but Pardew revealed in March that the Swiss-born striker would need to start firing in order to increase his chances of signing.

While the Magpies boss has made his desire to have more British players in his squad clear, Newcastle will continue to scour the likes of France, Holland, Germany and Belgium in search of new targets.

The Magpies could rekindle their interest in Bafetimbi Gomis, who was linked with a move to St James’ Park last summer and will become a free agent at the end of the season, but they are also exploring other options.

Gomis’ Lyon team-mate Alex Lacazette is on their radar, as is Germany Under-21 striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga, who has scored 12 goals in 19 games on loan at Hamburg from Hertha Berlin.

Pardew has moved to assure supporters that his squad will be strengthened in the summer, but it appears the Magpies hierarchy has also had to reassure some of the club’s senior players that they will show ambition in the transfer market.

While Shola Ameobi has spoken publicly for the need to spend in the summer, it is understood Fabricio Coloccini has also raised concerns after back-to-back windows with little activity.

The defender revealed he will not be leaving this summer despite reports to the contrary, and it is thought he is keen for the Magpies to show some ambition in a bid to progress next season.

Pardew will also have to address the futures of several fringe players, including French-born Algerian international Mehdi Abeid.