Newcastle United may not sign another striker in the January transfer window but are expected to make a big name signing according to the Guardian.
Manager Steve Bruce met with the club’s owner, Mike Ashley, to discuss their transfer plans and he described the talks as “very very decent”.
“The meeting was very, very decent. We didn’t talk about survival but bringing in that little bit more quality. Unfortunately there’s an awful lot of competition but we’ll try our best. He asked how he can help. He talked to players and staff. We sat down and discussed what we’re trying to do and he’ll back us as much as he can.”
Steve Bruce on his meeting with Mike Ashley
The Toons have struggled for goals this season having scored just 21 times in 22 matches and no striker has scored more than twice.
Midfielder Jonjo Shelvey is the side’s top scorer with five goals.
Despite their attacking problems, Bruce claimed that the club will not move for a sub-par recruit and would rather wait till the summer to splurge the cash on a forward.
Their cautious approach is perhaps dictated by the struggles of £40 million summer signing Joelinton who has scored just twice all season after moving from Hoffenheim in the summer.
Bruce admitted that a short term loan is also unlikely for a striker despite injuries to Dwight Gayle and Yoshinori Muto which will rule them out for a few weeks at least.
“If there’s someone out there who could improve us, I’ll act but it’s very difficult to get a centre-forward in on loan who is going to be any better than what we already have.”
Bruce on a possible loan move for a striker
Fellow striker Andy Carroll is also a doubt for this weekend’s match against Chelsea at St. James’ Park.
However, Newcastle may move for a midfielder or a winger with Bruce hinting that his priorities lay elsewhere.
“We’re still quietly confident we can pull one major big one off,” Bruce said before adding that the player they are pursuing is “not necessarily” a striker.
Winger Allen Saint-Maximin is also being considered for a role through the middle by Bruce with a possible move for Valentino Lazaro who can play across midfield and at wing-back from Inter Milan.
Journalists also asked Bruce whether he “trusted” owner Mike Ashley after his history of poor relations with managers over a lack of transfer budget.
Bruce however rejected those claims, saying that Ashley had been completely honest and right with him so far.
“Do I trust him? What a good question. I have no doubts. The way he’s been with me and what’s he’s said have been 100% right so far. He was very positive this week. We have to have a working relationship.”
Bruce on his relationship with Ashley
Newcastle are getting an overhaul off the field if not on it as the “iconic Sports Direct logos are set to disappear and be replaced by those of new sponsor Barbour International.
