Newcastle Boss Steve Bruce Keen to Strengthen 2 Key Areas in Summer Transfer Window
By Ross Jackson
Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce has already drawn up his transfer wish list for the summer, with a proven Premier League striker said to be top of the agenda along with a box-to-box midfielder.
The Magpies’ struggles in front of goal have been evident throughout the campaign, having notched just 25 goals in 29 league games – the joint lowest in the league alongside bottom club Norwich.
Summer recruits Andy Carroll and club-record signing Joelinton have failed to have the desired impact, with the pair scoring just one league goal between them this season. The Athletic report that Bruce is keen to bolster his forward options as he looks set to be handed a £60m-£80m transfer budget, with a proven Premier League marksman the main target.
However, despite the club’s seeming reticence to sign yet another foreign import without experience of England’s top flight, Bruce also conceded the club are far more likely to release funds for a European import than they are for a tried and tested centre-forward.
Another area of the squad which Bruce is looking to strengthen this summer is central midfield. Despite recently tying Jonjo Shelvey down to a new deal which will see him stay at the club until 2023, the Newcastle boss is also hoping to bring a box-to-box midfielder to St James’ Park.
It remains to be seen whether the club will revive their interest in Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumaré, after the Lille midfielder rejected a move to Tyneside in the January transfer window. The two clubs had reportedly agreed a fee of £35m for the France Under-21 star, although personal terms could not be agreed with the player eyeing a move to a Champions League club.
The Newcastle scouting team are already said to be scoping potential summer targets, with trips to South America and Germany among other destinations said to be on the club’s itinerary.