Newcastle United will now consider offers for Sean Longstaff, Fabian Schar, Ciaran Clark and Jeff Hendrick in a desperate attempt to claw back funds, according to The Daily Mail.
Despite moving on plenty deadwood this summer and recouping a small transfer fee for Florian Lejeune, the report suggests that our 25-man squad will need to be cut down if Bruce is to secure new arrivals.
Joe Willock’s £25million arrival was a huge positive for NUFC fans last week, but The Mail claim that deals between now and the August 31st deadline could rely on a couple of outgoings.
Toon supporters may be scratching their heads at this news as they have scratched over £200k-a-week off the wage bill – via exits for Muto, Saivet, Atsu, Carroll, Lejeune and more – as well as received a £5million windfall from Adam Armstrong’s transfer from Blackburn to Southampton.
Sean Longstaff was left out of Bruce’s starting 11 last Sunday, while Fabian Schar’s future remains in doubt after links with a return to Germany earlier this summer.
Clark started on Sunday and struggled badly, while Hendrick must now be behind four of five other CM’s in our squad following the arrival of Joe Willock.
Why Schar? One of the more mobile CB’s we have!
Krafth should be the first one out the door, followed by Hendrick.
Clarke has been a good servant but has lost his pace so can’t disagree with that.
Longstaff could well thrive elsewhere where a good coach could get the best out of him?
Joseph(Quote)
Hendrick and Fraser need to go – even if you don’t get £ for them
Rafa saw Shelvey as a luxury player – playing Hayden and Longstaff – does 3 good passes and second half goes missing!
Since Bruce has arrived S Longstaff runs out of fitness 50 minutes in and loses concentration (!?)
EVERYONE watching Toon v WH saw that its a strong, controlling Central Midfielder, a Right and Left Back…
..plus a STRIKER = lost Muto, Carroll and 4-2 down and one doesn’t bring on the ONLY other Striker Gayle (!?) Something is wrong!
But after seeing everything – Bruce is after a Leicester winger – GOD HELP US
KK(Quote)
The same Clark who’s not long got a new contract. Pie in the sky article.
Tired of this guessing balls.
Cocobear(Quote)
Never mind selling Hendrick – he should never have been here in the first place. League 1 standard at best.
We have to stop buying dross and ‘has beens’ (often never has beens) that other clubs don’t want and start purchasing hungry young players with potential that won’t cost a fortune.
The likes of Clark, Hendrick, both Longstaffes, Ritchie, Lascelles, Shelvey and Dummett should all be sold but whether Bruce and his incompetent lot can do all that and get recruitments in within the time limits is nigh on impossible considering the snail’s pace this club works.
taken4mugs(Quote)
KK – some memory you have there – but let me just correct you. Hayden & Longstaff were rotting in reserves with one foot out the door, until Rafas luxury player was injured/suspended along with Diame & Ki going off to the Asian cup – only then did the might Rafa bring Hayden & Longstaff in.
Longstaffs fitness would be down to his horrific injury – but don’t miss an opportunity to try and blame Bruce for something will ya?!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Forget how they got into the Team = Hayden and Longstaff WERE a good partnership – YES ALEXa!
Only a numpty would look back at ANY game over the past 2 years and think there was a tactical plan!
It’s been horrendous to watch with players holding their arms up to the bench for leadership = try coming along to watch a game before saying Bruce is GREAT = we need a MANAGER that just doesn’t want 10 midfielder’s
KK(Quote)