[ad_1]
Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce has told talkSPORT the club are NOT interested in Josh King.
But the boss’ hopes of instead adding a defender to his ranks in the January window could be upset by Manchester United, according to our transfer guru Alex Crook.
Recent reports have linked the Magpies with a move to sign Bournemouth striker King, who is out of contract on the south coast at the end of the season.
The Norwegian was heavily linked with an exit last summer following the Cherries’ relegation from the Premier League, but ended up staying after Bournemouth rejected an offer from West Ham.
Having made just nine appearances this season, and with Newcastle managing only one goal in their past five games, it had been suggested the Magpies could make a move for the forward.
But, speaking to talkSPORT after his side’s FA Cup third round defeat to Arsenal on Saturday, Bruce ruled out a move for the Bournemouth ace.
Quizzed about his plans for the January window, the boss said: “We’ll see. If there’s somebody there who can help us, we’re always actively looking and one or two things are bubbling away.
“But I cannot see it being a busy transfer window for everybody.”
Then, when asked about the club’s rumoured interest in King, Bruce added: “No, No.
“At the top end of the pitch we’ve invested a lot of money, so no, we’re okay in that area.”
Newcastle have four recognised strikers in their squad – Callum Wilson, Joelinton, Andy Carroll and Dwight Gayle – but they have just 13 goals between them this season.
However, Bruce is said to be keen on bolstering his back line this month.
But it appears Manchester United may have scuppered Newcastle’s hopes of sealing a deal for young Red Devils’ full-back Brandon Williams, as Crook explained to talkSPORT host Jim White on Monday…
“Steve Bruce distanced himself from Josh King, and it’s defensively where he’d most keen to get cover,” began Crook.
“But we’re hearing that Manchester United defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah is leaving Old Trafford, which is no massive surprise, really, because he turned down the option to extend his contract which expires in the summer.
“Bayer Leverkusen are close to agreeing a fee of around £1.5million for Fosu-Mensah… but it’s one of those transfers I think we could see a lot of this month, that could have knock-on effects for other deals.
“One of those affected could be Brandon Williams, the United defender who is wanted by both Southampton and Newcastle.
“I wonder if United would be so willing to let him go now that Fosu-Mensah is set to depart, because that would leave them a bit short of cover at full-back.
“You’d also question why Bruce doesn’t want any more attackers, given Newcastle’s lack of goals this season; but I suppose Newcastle fans might say it doesn’t matter who plays upfront because they don’t create enough chances.”
It’s unlikely reports of Newcastle’s interest in King will go away, however, as the Magpies may well look to sign the striker in the summer on a free transfer.
But they won’t be alone, says Crook, with West Ham boss David Moyes also keen.
“Josh King is running out of options pretty quickly, as he did in the summer,” he added.
“I know David Moyes is a fan but West Ham are not willing to pay the transfer fee that Bournemouth are asking, which is more than £10m for a player who is out of contract in the summer.
“Wolves showed a bit of interest but they seem to have decided they’re okay, and West Brom can’t afford him.
“The most likely outcome now is that King runs down his contract at Bournemouth and leaves on a free transfer in the summer, which begs the question – why did Bournemouth turn down West Ham’s £13m bid back in October?”
[ad_2]
Source link
Comments are closed.