Steve Bruce has stated when he expects Newcastle United to make another signing after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Preston North End.
The new Magpies boss took charge of his first game from the Newcastle dugout at Deepdale, overseeing the defeat and introducing new club-record signing Joelinton in the second half.
Speaking to the Chronicle after the game, Bruce revealed he expects the club to be closer to a signing in the next 48 hours, “We’re busy working on that (improving the squad). We’ve still got a couple of weeks and I’m quietly confident that we’ll do some business.”
“Hopefully in the next 24/48 hours, something might be closer.”
Newcastle were the last team to sign a player in the Premier League, with Bruce expecting to strengthen his squad before the season opener against Arsenal in less than two weeks.
The Chronicle reported on Saturday that Bruce was keen on Hull City winger Jarrod Bowen, but Lee Ryder squashed that suggestion by revealing Newcastle were reluctant to pay the £20million asking price.
OPINION
This comes as no surprise that Newcastle are on the verge of closing in on another player, with their squad desperate for reinforcements – something defeat to Preston further highlighted. Bruce is clearly itching to put his stamp on his Magpies side, with plenty of areas needing strengthening after many years of little transfer business. The only problem surrounding this deal would be which area needs strengthening the most. The Magpies have been reported by Sky Sports to be in talks with Paris Saint-Germain over the signing of 20-year-old left-back Stanley N’Soki, whereas RMC Sport revealed that they have made a second improved bid for Nice winger Allan Saint-Maximin. Both deals appear to be nearing a potential conclusion so it would come as no surprise if it was one of these two Frenchman who were revealed at St James’ Park in the next 48 hours or so. If Bruce was to switch back to a four-at-the-back formation, a left-back would be more necessary, with Matt Ritchie being shoehorned into that role last season.
