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Newcastle United have started preliminary discussions with Loic Remy’s representatives about a permanent transfer – but the Magpies face a major battle to land his signature on a full-time basis.

Remy’s future became clearer yesterday when he learned that he would face no further action over rape allegations dating back to last May.

However, while Alan Pardew has made it clear to his board he wants to keep his 11-goal top scorer on a full-time basis, the news that Remy can now focus on football triggered fresh movements from clubs eager to sign the 27-year-old yesterday.

The Chronicle understands that there are at least seven clubs keen on signing Remy next summer when his loan deal expires with the Magpies. Remy has kept his relationship with QPR cordial despite quitting the Loftus Road club after relegation.

A source close to Remy said: “Loic has enjoyed his time at Newcastle so far but is still undecided over what the future holds. At 27, he is eager to play his football and his peak years in the Champions League but he has not made a decision at this stage.”

The former Marseille man still has a good rapport with both Harry Redknapp and owner Tony Fernandes. And should QPR win promotion back to the Premier League the door will be open for him to return.

The task for United between now and the end of the season though is to agree a fee with Rangers – and despite Fernandes paying an £8m record fee for the French striker, the capital club now value him at £16m.

Remy, though, ideally wants to be playing Champions League football next season and Arsenal are one of the clubs in the hunt to sign him next summer with Arsene Wenger a long-term admirer. West Ham, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Paris St-Germain and Aston Villa have also shown interest.

Remy’s agent is Frederic Guerra – a man who is no stranger to the Magpies after holding talks with the club over United’s failed bid to sign Clément Grenier from Lyon.

Back then, Guerra left the room after the Magpies are thought to have offered only a derisory fee for Remy’s services.

Newcastle will get back around the table with Remy’s representatives and with director of football Joe Kinnear now gone, Pardew will push his board to sign Remy.