Sky Sports’ Keith Downie has warned Newcastle fans that Steve Bruce will blow his entire budget on a £25m move for Joe Willock – but believes there could still be TWO more arrivals on Tyneside.
With a couple of domestic loan slots still available, Downie reports that we’ll be looking to sign a ‘midfield enforcer’ and a ‘cover player at centre-back’ between now and August 31st.
The North-East correspondent admits that we did try to bring Conor Gallagher in on loan from Chelsea, only for the England U21 star to end up signing for Crystal Palace.
Speaking on Sky Sports News, here’s what he’s had to say on the Toon transfer front when asked if there’ll be more incomings:
“Of course they (the fans) want more than that,”
“I think, with regards to Newcastle, this potential signing of Willock has pretty much blown Steve Bruce’s budget this window.
“I don’t think there will be any more funds on him to spend on players. I think he will have to look at the loan market.
“He did try to bring in Conor Gallagher from Chelsea. Instead, he went to Palace
“I do think he will try to bring in another central midfielder. A midfield enforcer, someone who can complement Joe Willock.
“He will look to the loan market to probably add one, maybe two players. A central midfielder and a cover player at centre-back.
“I cannot see them spending another £20-25 million on another player. Willock is pretty much the main man as far as that’s concerned.”
With a combative midfielder also wanted, it would not surprise me in the slightest if Bruce reignited his interest in Hamza Choudhury.
He almost signed on loan in January and could now be surplus to requirements at Leicester City, with them signing £17m man Boubacary Soumare last month.
Who would you like to see us look at if we are pursuing loan moves for a midfield enforcer and centre-back?
Obviously some of their salary demands may be a out of our structure and some may be considered a bit old but on 2-3 year deals with no transfer fee we could get some true talent (some already with prem experience) and offset the savings on transfer fees by contributing to the wage bill. These players could come in and either drop straight into and improve the first team, increase competition for places or provide some decent cover. We might even make some money on them.
Defenders on a free:
Boateng
Mangala
WILLEMS (why haven’t we signed him yet???)
Mustafi
Andre Wisdom (he’s got a little bit of prem experience and although not proven he’s now got consistency and games under his belt… and is still quite young).
Midfielders on a free:
Besic
Grenier
Izquierdo
Gaston Ramirez
Ben Arfa (absolute super-sub)
Ntcham
Forwards on a free:
Rondon
Sturridge
In my opinion we missed a trick by not going in for Nat Clyne and Andros Townsend.
Cost effective ways of improving the squad and adding competition/depth. We are the least effective/successful team in transfer windows and it seems we can’t compete with anyone in the Prem or top half of the Championship so it’s time to improve and get back to being a team that can compete with teams in the upper half of the table, at least with signings and strengthening the squad. We’re now down to the bare bones and are acting like a league 1/2 team going into administration.
It’s just depressing.
Asparagus(Quote)
How is Willock getting to Newcastle? Walking Remember Modric? They sent him a bus ticket
DEREK HARDY(Quote)