Can Newcastle afford to challenge Everton for Bristol City’s Bryan?

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Everton and Newcastle going head-to-head for Bristol City’s Joe Bryan but can the Magpies afford to do that?

Johnny Russell of Derby County challenges Joe Bryan of Bristol City during the Sky Bet Championship match at the iPro Stadium.

Interest in Bristol City’s Joe Bryan from the Premier League is high, with the Bristol Post reporting Brighton and Hove Albion, Everton and Newcastle United are all keen.

Both the Toffees and Newcastle are ready to make £7m bids for Bryan, who has been in excellent form for the Robins this season as they have made a surprise promotion push in the Championship and also face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

Lee Johnson, manager of Bristol City, looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match against Derby County.

The 24-year-old is a left-back, a position both clubs are hoping to improve during the January transfer window, but has been known to play further forward for Lee Johnson’s men.

Yet despite the Chronicle reporting Rafa Benitez has been given the green light by owner Mike Ashley to make new signings before the window closes, can the Spaniard afford to enter a potential bidding war with the Merseysiders?

The Magpies are yet to bring in a single player this month even though Benitez wants a goalkeeper, a left-sided player and a striker as a bare minimum, with Ashley cutting off finances as talks about a potential takeover go on with Amanda Staveley and PCP Capital Partners.

Rafael Benitez, manager of Newcastle United, gives his team instructions during the Premier League match against Manchester City.

Even though funds have now supposedly been granted to the 57-year-old, that has been promised before and then denied to leave the Toon boss frustrated – as reported by the Independent following the summer window.

So with the budget tight Benitez will have to select his targets very carefully and with Everton likely to have more financial clout when it comes to signing Bryan, are Newcastle wasting their time competing with them in this scenario?