Sky Sports News reporter Rob Dorsett has claimed live on air (31/8, 13:17) that Steve Bruce refuses to give up on signing Hamza Choudhury as Newcastle remain in talks with Leicester.
Bruce is adamant that Newcastle must strengthen his engine room in the final hours of the summer transfer market. But the Toon are yet to agree on terms with the Foxes over a deal for Choudhury to move to St James’ Park ahead of Tuesday night’s 23:00 shutoff.
The Magpies hierarchy, like Bruce, are very keen to make Choudhury a Newcastle player if Leicester agree to loan him. However, discussions between the Premier League sides have raised a barrier in terms of how his salary is covered.
Newcastle and Leicester remain in negotiations to thrash out how much of Choudhury’s wage remains the Foxes’ responsibility this season. The 23-year-old has two-years left on his existing deal at the King Power Stadium, but is highly out of favour.
Dorsett understands Bruce is refusing to give up his chase of Choudhury without a fight. And claimed on Sky Sports News on Tuesday afternoon:
“Newcastle, and in particular Steve Bruce, is still very keen to get Hamza Choudhury, the Leicester midfielder, out on loan before the deadline. Still discussions ongoing between the two clubs about the level of his wages, I understand. But Steve Bruce is not giving up.”
Leicester midfielder Choudhury open to Newcastle loan
Choudhury is keen to join Newcastle on loan on Deadline Day if Bruce’s side can agree to terms with Leicester. That’s according to Chronicle Live, who recently reported there is a willingness from both clubs to finalise a transfer.
Any loan move for the former England U21 international would likely feature a break clause that would activate in January. Bruce has hit the market striving to secure last-ditch loan deals as Newcastle cannot afford to make any permanent signings.
Choudhury will offer Bruce another body in the Newcastle engine room that can protect the backline, if signed. He has played 47 times in the Premier League since debuting in 2017, but has not yet featured this season.
Brendan Rodgers has, in fact, only awarded the Loughborough-born technician 11 minutes of top-flight football since March 3. He played 77 minutes that day during a 1-1 draw with Burnley, before spending 11 of the following 14 games as an unused substitute.
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