Newcastle table offer for Cameroon international Gaetan Bong

Alan Pardew is looking to add defensive options to his side to boost squad

Newcastle have tabled an offer for Valenciennes defender Gaetan Bong, according to the French club's president.

Alan Pardew's ongoing bid to boost his defensive options has seen him make a move for the Cameroon left-back.

Despite bringing in France defender Mathieu Debuchy from Ligue 1 club Lille this week, Pardew is still looking to strengthen his back-line after Fabricio Coloccini, Steven Taylor and Danny Simpson suffered injuries.

Valenciennes president Jean-Raymond Legrand told le10sport.com: "Newcastle are very interested, they have made an offer. We will wait and see. But I will not sell players unless I can replace them."

Pardew has once again returned to the French top flight to strengthen his squad after signing Yohan Cabaye, Sylvain Marveaux, Romain Amalfitano and Hatem Ben Arfa from Ligue 1.

The Magpies manager said: "It's a position that we really need to strengthen as we have let in some loose goals this year because we have not had the competition, and the likes of Davide Santon have needed a rest at times. That sort of pressure has told on us."

Meanwhile Pardew insisted the club's failure to land a new striker, to repllace new Chelsea striker Demba Ba, is not for want of trying, with Marseille forward Loic Remy persistently linked with a move to the Magpies.

Pardew added: "There is no doubt we are beavering away in the background to try to get players in.

"At the start of the window you get all sorts of mixed messages and it's very difficult to cement somebody down to a decision because they're waiting to see if another club gets involved.

"But it will accelerate as we get nearer the end of the window. The problem for us teams who perhaps need to strengthen is trying to get those decisions made."