After a chaotic week that has seen headlines predominantly centred around the manager’s training ground bust-up with Matt Ritchie, the Magpies will face off with fellow strugglers West Brom on Sunday in a must-win clash.
That game will start a run of matches that will also see the Toon Army play Aston Villa and Brighton before the end of the month, and former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson has argued that Bruce’s tenure at the club could be in jeopardy if his side fail to do the business for him in the coming weeks.
Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “With their injury list, especially up front, it’s going to be a big ask for them. West Brom v Newcastle is a massive game for both clubs. But it’s a huge, huge game for Newcastle.
“A 1-1 draw against Wolves probably wasn’t enough. They need to start putting wins together.
“Their next three fixtures will determine whether they stay up. They’ve got West Brom away, Villa at home and then away to Brighton. That could be it for Bruce.”
Bruce’s current points per game average of 1.18 is 0.3 worse than that of his predecessor Rafa Benitez’s, while his win percentage of 31.5% is nearly 11% lower than the Spaniard’s.
Elsewhere, Newcastle are still said to be pushing to sign Juventus defender Radu Dragusin on a free transfer this summer.
Recent reports had suggested that the Romanian was nearing an agreement to extend his current contract in Turin, but now Calcio Mercato claim that talks have hit an obstacle – and the complication could open the door for him to leave in the coming months.
Crystal Palace are also said to be keen, as are German duo RB Leipzig and Wolfsburg.
The teenager is a versatile talent who is generally operates in a central role, and the youth international has registered a total action success rate in excess of 80%, a pass completion rate in excess of 90%, and is still yet to lose an aerial duel since making his senior debut for Juve late last year.
We’ve gathered the rest of today’s Premier League transfer speculation below:
1. Leeds not after Traore
Leeds United will not pursue a deal for Wolves winger Adama Traore this summer. (Football Insider) (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) Photo: Clive Brunskill
2. West Ham keen on Meslier
West Ham are keeping tabs on Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier, and view him as a potential replacement for Lukasz Fabianski. (Football Insider) (Photo by Tim Goode - Pool/Getty Images) Photo: Pool
3. Liverpool eye up Malen
PSV Eindhoven striker Donyell Malen is a potential target for Liverpool in the summer transfer window. (Calcio Mercato) (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos
4. Bayern in for Karius?
Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius has been identified as a potential target for Bayern Munich, if they need a new number two this summer. (Sport 1) (Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images) Photo: Boris Streubel