Reports in The Telegraph suggest that Newcastle United chairman Mike Ashley will be reluctant to supply head coach Steve McClaren with the funds to improve the Magpies’ under-performing squad during the January transfer window.
Ashley invested over £54million to bolster Newcastle’s playing staff this summer by bringing in known talents such as Georginio Wijnaldum, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Chancel Mbemba, whilst taking calculated gambles on players with potential in Ivan Toney and Florian Thauvin.
Despite the team’s early season woes, Lee Charnley, Newcastle’s managing director, maintains faith in McClaren’s capabilities. However, this quarrel over transfer funds is the first sign of tension in the burgeoning relationship between the former England manager and the United board.
The news that Ashley is reluctant to invest means that Newcastle will be willing to listen to offers for a majority of their players, including prized assets Moussa Sissoko and Ayoze Perez, in order to free up funds for incoming signings.
Despite personally asking the board to keep Sissoko during the summer, McClaren is thought to have finally lost patience with the enigmatic French international, who has shown no signs of improvement in recent weeks.
Perez has been one of the bright sparks in Newcastle’s appalling season so far, and the talented 21-year-old has been touted as a future Spurs or Manchester United signing.
The sale of such a player would be extremely unpopular with the Toon Army, but, if a sell to buy policy is enforced, McClaren’s hands may be tied on the matter.
The Daily Mail claim that the Newcastle head coach has already discussed a loan deal for Spurs winger Andros Townsend – whilst his January shopping list also includes a centre back, a central midfielder and a striker.
Several incoming arrivals could spell the end for Papiss Cisse, Mike Williamson, Yoan Gouffran and Sylvain Marveaux’s careers on Tyneside. Williamson is set to make his loan deal with Wolves permanent, whilst Ligue 1 side Saint Etienne are understood to be keen on Gouffran.
