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Newcastle boss Steve Bruce reveals Magpies transfer plans after secret Mike Ashley chat
NEWCASTLE boss Steve Bruce has already seen the club break its transfer record this summer and expects more new faces to arrive before deadline day.
Newcastle: Steve Bruce ‘delighted’ with Joelinton signing
Bruce signed a three-year contract to become the latest Newcastle boss last week after he resigned as boss of Sheffield Wednesday.
Newcastle parted ways with Rafa Benitez this summer after the Spaniard felt the club “did not share his vision”.
But less than a week into Bruce’s reign the club broke their transfer record when they paid Hoffenheim £40million to secure the services of Joelinton.
The 22-year-old Brazilian scored 11 goals in 35 games for the German side last season.
There is money to spend and there is proof already
And Bruce revealed he didn’t have to wait long to meet Newcastle owner Mike Ashley to discuss further transfers.
Ashley arrived at the club’s Benton training ground by helicopter and spent two hours meeting Bruce and his staff.
“There is money to spend and there is proof already,” Bruce said.
“It’s there in black and white, excuse the pun.
“Hopefully, over the next two weeks, we’ll do a bit more as well.
“Hopefully another three or four.”
One transfer target Bruce is trying to bring to St James’ Park is Nice winger Allan Saint-Maximin.
The Magpies have had a £14m bid rejected by the Ligue 1 side, but are still hopeful about reaching an agreement for the French youngster.
Last season Saint-Maximin scored six goals and provided five assists in 36 games for Nice.
It is understood that Bruce still has around £50m in his transfer budget after the club signed Joelinton.
Joelinton: Brazilian footballer’s achievements at Hoffenheim
And the former Hull manager is keen on adding more firepower to the squad after the departures of Ayoze Perez to Leicester City and Joselu to Alaves.
One player the club are reportedly keen on is Southampton striker Charlie Austin.
The 30-year-old striker, who has 34 goals from 106 Premier League games, has been offered to the Tyneside club after falling out of favour from Ralph Hasenhuttl.
Austin is believed to have a dressing room bust up with Hasenhuttl last week and was then left out of the squad that travelled to Austria and Ireland.