Steve Bruce Planning to Blow Summer Transfer Budget on Just Two Players

Steve Bruce is preparing to spend Newcastle's entire summer transfer budget on a new centre-back and a young striker to gear up for an assault on the top half of the Premier League table.


The Magpies are set to have a limited transfer budget if Mike Ashley remains in charge at the club, which at the moment looks increasingly likely.


Newcastle have had a decent season under Bruce

According to Sky Sports, Bruce has identified the centre of defence and centre of attack as the main areas that require bolstering this summer.


With Newcastle's proposed takeover by a Saudi Arabian-backed consortium delayed because of a lack of clarity over who would be in charge at the club (among other things); Bruce is planning his transfer dealings based on the assumption that the change of hands won't happen this summer.


The search for a new striker is no great surprise after midfielder Jonjo Shelvey finished as the club's top scorer this season, even after Dwight Gayle's strong showing post restart. The club's record signing Joelinton has failed to deliver on his £39m price tag, scoring just twice all season.


Players rumoured to be on the radar are Leicester's Kelechi Iheanacho, RB Leipzig's Patrick Schick and QPR's Eberechi Eze, with all three valued at at least £20m.


Kelechi Iheanacho

Iheanacho could be the most realistic target, with Leicester requiring funds to attempt the signing of Celtic forward Odsonne Edouard from Brendan Rodgers' former club Celtic. Iheanacho has struggled for game time at the King Power but has still managed five goals and four assists this season; and could entice Bruce with a proven Premier League goalscoring track record.


The need for another centre-half is perhaps more surprising after Newcastle's defenders proved their worth and reliability on occasions this season, with Federico Fernandez and Fabian Schar notably contributing to several key goals.


21 year-old Malang Sarr is being looked at by many European clubs after his contract with Ligue 1 side Nice expired at the end of this season; and could be an exciting addition to the backline at St. James Park. Arsenal are also thought to be monitoring Sarr but a move to the Toon would guarantee more regular football for the French Under-21 international.




Source : 90min