Newcastle are still hopeful of securing one more signing in time for next weekend’s Premier League opener against Southampton, according to the Journal.
It is believed a centre-back and a striker remain on Steve McClaren’s wish-list, though the Magpies are not close to a deal for a player of either position, other than Northampton Town youngster Ivan Toney – who is currently on a two-day trial ahead of a £500,000 move.
Charlie Austin remains the club’s top transfer target, though the board of directors cannot justify matching QPR’s £15million price-tag for a player entering the final year of his contract, while it seems very quiet on the centre back front.
Meanwhile, McClaren is expected to undergo a significant clear out during the remainder of the window, with Mehdi Abeid expected to be the first out the door. German second division side Fortuna Dusseldorf are said to be keen on landing the Algerian midfielder, who attracted interest from Panathinaikos earlier this window.
Shane Ferguson, Gael Bigirimana, Haris Vuckic and Olivier Kemen are other players reportedly in the firing line. Papiss Cisse and Mike Williamson are also linked with an exit this summer, but the Chronicle state their departures will depend solely upon any new arrivals in the remainder of the window.
In an interview with the Chronicle, McClaren said: “Now we will sit down and assess the squad and try to pick about 18 or 20 players.
“That is who we will pick from – they are the ones – and we will decide on where the others go. Some will go out on loan, some we will try to sell. I think that conversation will come about very soon.”
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