Allan Saint-Maximin is not the only player frustrated at Newcastle United’s lack of transfer activity as Steve Bruce waits to make his first summer signing, according to the Daily Mail.
Bruce is desperate for the Magpies to strengthen his ranks at St James’ Park after staving off the threat of relegation last season. But owner Mike Ashley remains reluctant to inject large pools of cash into the club as he continues to hold out hope for selling the Toon.
Newcastle are the only Premier League side yet to announce a senior signing this summer, per talkSPORT. Chelsea were in the same boat as the Magpies up until Thomas Tuchel’s club landed Marcus Bettinelli last week.
Most top-flight clubs have made three or four summer signings, with Norwich and Watford making the most at eight each. Newcastle, though, are yet to make any or find replacements for Andy Carroll and those Bruce released as free agents.
The Mirror reported toward the end of last month that the lack of players joining Newcastle has ‘alarmed’ Saint-Maximin. The Toon hierarchy have also grown concerned over the winger wanting to stay on Tyneside if he becomes too disillusioned.
But Newcastle may face a similar struggle with more of their players. The Daily Mail claim the lack of incomings has frustrated multiple players as they are well aware of Bruce’s need to strengthen after fending off relegation to the Championship last season.
Bruce hopes to make progress soon with attentions turning to a £10m bid for Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara. The Toon are hopeful of prising the 21-year-old from his boyhood club as an alternative to joe Willock as he is in the final year of his OM contract.
Kamara unlikely to be enough to end Newcastle transfer concerns
Newcastle signing Kamara from Marseille is unlikely to end the concerns growing among Bruce’s squad. They – like the manager – know work has to be done to move up the Premier League table and will only be plugging a gap that was plastered over last season.
Willock filled a void in the engine room while on loan from Arsenal and offered a raft of vital goals. Bruce will need to replace that this summer if the England U21 ace is not returning to the North East. But Newcastle must still work to fix the other issues in the squad.
Bruce has long wanted to sign a new centre-back with more pace to allow Newcastle to play a higher line. He will surely want another striker to help take some of the burden off Callum Wilson, too. While a new left-back is likely in order to offer Jamal Lewis competition.
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