Steve Bruce has confirmed that he has ‘four of five’ loan deals in mind – but doesn’t yet know if their clubs will allow them to leave before next week’s deadline.
He made it clear once again that outgoings could be key to make room for another addition, but insisted that we haven’t closed the door on new signings – providing that right loan signing becomes available.
The NUFC boss has also confirmed that Matty Longstaff is closing in on a loan move to Aberdeen, saying the 21-year-old is ‘desperate’ to play and looks set to accept the offer that’s arrived from the SPL side.
Elsewhere, Bruce has made some frankly ridiculous claims on our summer business, stating that we “broke all of our transfer rules” to bring in Joe Willock – highlighting the rigid and outdated nature of our approach to signings!
The 60-year-old claims we didn’t have the money to make that deal happen and had to go against Mike Ashley’s policy of paying upfront to make the move happen, confirming that we’ll be paying the £20-25m in instalments.
Here’s clips of Bruce speaking to the press about some of the above earlier today, followed by his quotes in full on potential loan signings, Longstaff’s move to Aberdeen and us ‘breaking our own transfer rules’ to sign Willock:
Bruce on ‘breaking all our transfer rules’ to sign Willock:
“I didn’t think we’d be able to buy Joe the way we did.
“We broke all the rules of trying to secure his signature.
“So I’m never going to say never.
“And if somebody comes along which can help us, then we will try and act.
“The idea of maybe a loan signing might be on the horizon, but it’s been very quiet, in terms of players out, from our end.
“So far, you know, we have got a decent balanced squad.
“The budget wasn’t enough to buy Joe Willock but we managed to break all our transfer rules to buy him.
“I believe we paid for it in instalments, which isn’t the [Mike Ashley] policy.
“However, if there’s a loan deal to get then that’s what we’re looking at.”
Bruce on Matty’s move to Scotland:
“It’s happened very quickly over the last couple of days.
“I think we’ve said now for a good couple of weeks it’s important for young Matty to go and play some football.
“He had a difficult year for one thing and another last year so it’s a great opportunity for him to go and play. It’s quite as simple as that.
“I certainly haven’t heard of the Championship interest.
“There might have been interest, I’m sure, but when it comes down to the offer, Aberdeen have put their offer on the table and it looks like the kid is going to accept it.
“The kid is desperate to go and play football.
“Aberdeen is a good club and a decent play to go and play so good luck to him.“
Has he just got out of his pit, he seems half asleep ?.
Philoon from the toon.(Quote)