Newcastle boss wants more signings after landing Saivet

Steve McClaren's hopeful Newcastle United will push through more transfer business after Henri Saivet arrived at St James's Park.
Henri SaivetHenri Saivet
Henri Saivet

Saivet’s last night completed a £5million move to the relegation-threatened club from Bordeaux.

But the 24-year-old winger is not expected to be involved in tonight’s Premier League home game against Manchester United.

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“I am very happy to be here at Newcastle,” said Saivet, who has signed a five-and-a-half-year deal.

“I am really proud to be able to play for this club, and I am really excited at the challenge that lies ahead.”

McClaren said: “Henri is someone the club have been watching for a while, and he has developed into an excellent player at Bordeaux.”

Swansea City’s unsettled midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, rated in the £10million-bracket, could follow Saivet through the door over the coming days.

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But what McClaren needs most is a goalscorer, and Loic Remy and Saido Berahino are two striking targets.

Chelsea are willing to let Remy leave Stamford Bridge in this month’s transfer window, possibly on loan, while Berahino’s future looks to lie away from West Bromwich Albion.

Berahino, also interesting Tottenham Hotspur, would cost upwards of £20million.

“There’s a lot of work going on behind the scenes and a lot of discussions,” said head coach McClaren, who is on the club’s board.

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“None of those are frustrated, angry. It’s kind of a process that we have got to go through, and we are going through.

“Let’s see over the next two or three weeks what happens.”

McClaren, focused on ending his team’s four-game league and cup losing streak, must now wait and see if managing director Lee Charnley and chief scout Graham Carr can deliver the signings he needs.

“It’s January and everybody knows it’s a difficult month,” said the 54-year-old.

“Every club, whether you are top or bottom, is looking all the time and if there’s an opportunity, it will be done. I suppose we are like everybody else.”

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McClaren has been unwilling to discuss the areas that he feels need strengthening, though his broader comments have pointed to the need for a striker.

Asked if a goalscorer was at the top of his wishlist, McClaren said: “There are quite a few things.

“But as I say, we are talking about it, keeping our counsel, trying to do things quietly because you just feel that you see it with a lot of theatre going on, a lot of talk and a lot of clubs issuing what they are doing.

“From my past experience, that (talking publicly) can actually upset something, so we are quietly doing our business behind (closed doors).”

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McClaren added: “There’s not much we can say and discuss about it.

“But you know and I know, and it’s not rocket science to know that we assess the first half (of the season) and what do we need in the second half.”