Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew is tightlipped on his scouting trip to Switzerland this week.

Pardew made a check on Swiss pair Xherdan Shaqiri (FC Basel) and Eren Derdiyok (Bayer Leverkusen).

He told the Evening Chronicle: “I took myself away from the club this week. I went to see a player who has great potential. That process continues.

“We will continue putting players in front of the board and hoping that they will get across the line.

“Hopefully we will get one or two good players in.”
http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/newcastle-boss-pardew-tightlipped-over-scouting-trip-shaqiri-derdiyok-1873591

Newcastle are reportedly interested in signing FC Basel winger Xherdan Shaqiri, who has previously been linked with a move to Liverpool.

Liverpool were linked with the 19-year-old towards the back end of last season, with the highly-rated Switzerland international one of a number of wide players who the Merseysiders were believed to be showing interest in.

Juventus and Aston Villa have also been linked with in the teenager, but Newcastle appear to be stepping up their interest, with the Daily Mirror reporting that Magpies boss Alan Pardew watched him in action for his country recently against Bulgaria.

Earlier this year it was reported that Shaqiri was keen on a move to Liverpool, who first showed interest in the youngster while Rafael Benitez was still in charge at the club.
Basel's sporting director Ilya Kentsing earlier this year said he believed the midfielder was already good enough to play in the Premier League.

"Shaqiri is a player for a big team and he could play for any top club," he said, adding: "But we have no agreement yet with any club."

http://www.crunchsports.com/category/Soccer/Liverpool-FC-target-Xherdan-Shaqiri-wanted-by-Newcastle-United-201109100009/