The January budget Steve Bruce is set to receive according to NUFC reporter at The Athletic

According to The Athletic’s Chris Waugh, Steve Bruce will have between ‘£15-£25m’ to spend in January – a total which could be boosted by any player sales.

Waugh also states that Bruce is hoping to bring in a midfielder to add ‘greater legs to the engine room’, also revealing that another winger will also be on his shopping list in the new year.

Here’s what Chris had to say when asked about the club’s January transfer plans during The Athletic’s latest Q&A session:

 “It depends what you mean by ‘decent’. Should there be money to spend? Yes. In the region of £15 million to £25 million, which can be augmented by players sales. In the current climate, and in January when transfers are inflated further, it isn’t exactly huge money, but might get Newcastle one or two decent additions who can really aid their season, if they scout well.

“I know that Bruce wants a midfielder, while he would ideally like another winger/forward as well. Bruce wants greater legs in the engine room, while he wants another option in attack because Newcastle lack pace in certain areas. I’d be surprised if they weren’t active in January, regardless of how well or badly the next few months go.”

If the former Chronicle man is correct and Bruce is looking to make at least two signings with £15-£25m to spend, it looks like we’ll be looking for value signings around Europe.

That said, I’m not entirely sure why Bruce would be looking for another central midfielder, with Hayden, Shelvey, S. Longstaff, M.Longstaff and Ki already battling for two spots in the first-team as things stand.

You could argue that we’re yet to replace Mo Diame and lack tacklers, with Shelvey and Ki also limited in what they can offer off the ball, but I’d be wary of any new signing limiting both Matty and Sean’s development.

As for wingers, that is most definitely an area that must be added to.

Saint-Maximin looks a real talent but has had injury issues. Atsu has looked lively, but has always struggled to deliver in key areas at this level and the same applies to a goal-shy Miguel Almiron, so another option is badly needed to take the pressure off his shoulders and contribute where it matters in the final third.

With a budget of £15-£25m in mind and a midfielder and winger on our radar, who would you like to see us go for in January?

(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

3 thoughts on “The January budget Steve Bruce is set to receive according to NUFC reporter at The Athletic

  1. Bruce wants “greater legs in the engine room”?
    For £15 -25m we won’t be able to buy any really good player’s one leg for that amount.
    Bloody joke of an owner.

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  2. And yet again the reporter missed the fact that Ashley does not allocate a budget but considers deals on a player by player basis in order to get the best deal for the club. Why don’t you point this out in your article?

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  3. And here we are slagging Ashley off again, based on a wishy-washy completely made up report from Chris Waugh, who lets not forget knew sod all when he was with the Chronicle, and probably knows even three fifths of that now he’s with the Athletic.

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