Newcastle United linked with surprise move for Ibrahima Sissoko as Steve Bruce issues transfer update

The club, according to L’Equipe, is tracking the midfielder, though a move would seem unlikely as Strasbourg would demand a sizeable fee for the 23-year-old, who was a previous target for Newcastle. Sissoko is contracted to the club until 2024.

United are looking at the loan market for reinforcements, and Steve Bruce today addressed speculation linking the club with Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury.

"It’s somebody we’ve liked, it’s been reported, but, as I’ve said, I’m never going to speak about anybody else’s players,” said Bruce. “I think that would be wrong, but it’s somebody that we do like.”

Asked for a transfer update, Newcastle’s head coach said: “Well, we’ve had to be patient. And we’re still hopeful. I’ve got one or two calls to make to managers in the next 24 hours. We’re still hopeful we can get one or two over the line.”