Newcastle United are reportedly close to a £36 million signing.
Finally, Newcastle United appear to be making progress.
The Magpies appointed Steve Bruce as Rafael Benitez’s successor at St James’s Park today – and Bruce’s first signing might be on the way.
According to Kicker, Hoffenheim hitman Joelinton is speaking to Newcastle about a club-record £36 million transfer to Tyneside.
And if and when it happens, it’s such a slap in the face for Benitez.
In three years as Newcastle boss, the Spaniard was only permitted to spend more than £20 million on a single player once – Miguel Almiron, and it was only six months ago.
And suddenly Mike Ashley is seemingly signing off on Bruce to make a £36 million signing immediately after joining the club.
Bruce is a good manager, but he’s not Rafael Benitez and it’s puzzling why Ashley handicapped a Champions League-winning coach for three years and yet he’s willing to back Bruce so emphatically straight away.
Benitez had to fight tooth and nail over his transfer targets, while Bruce is getting the keys to the vault.
The billionaire businessman’s stock has fallen to an all-time low among Newcastle fans after he lost Benitez and this, spending £36 million on one player, might be a build-bridging exercise, but it’s too late for that.
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