Newcastle United were offered a number of Premier League players on loan this summer but insisted they could not afford to sign them, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Who could Newcastle have signed this summer?
The report suggests the like of Hamza Choudhury (who the club did have talks about), Axel Tuanzebe, Hector Bellerin, Mason Holgate, Harry Winks and Ainsley Maitland-Niles were all mooted as potential temporary targets.
However, those behind the scenes at St James’ Park reportedly insisted they could not afford a loan fee as well as the full wages of these players and did not move for a single extra addition to Steve Bruce’s squad.
Sources close to the situation have told NBN that owner Mike Ashley was refusing to release extra funds on what was another miserable Deadline Day for supporters.
How does Bruce feel about the situation?
The report suggests that the Newcastle boss is feeling bruised and battered about the situation.
Already a hugely unpopular figure on Tyneside, the fact he hasn’t been able to strengthen the squad that ended last season is a huge concern amid a four-game winless run to kick-off his third season in charge.
Still, despite his frustration at the transfer situation (as so many managers have experienced under Ashley), he is unlikely to walk away as he is said to believe the players and staff need him.
What has been said about Newcastle’s business?
Reacting to a miserable day on Twitter, The Athletic’s George Caulkin shed some further insight.
“If there’s no money to spend, it’s not because of wages or FFP,” he wrote.
“It’s because #NUFC are choosing not to spend, choosing not to invest. That’s their model, but their squad is weaker than at the end of last season. The gamble is that it will be good enough, to stay where they are.”
