Less than a fortnight remains in the winter window with the 60-year-old fully aware that any potential incomings will have to be loan deals.
The Gazette revealed earlier in the month the Magpies had agreed the framework of a deal to sign Manchester United full-back Brandon Williams on a temporary basis.
However, at the moment, the 20-year-old looks set to stay at Old Trafford, despite playing just six minutes of Premier League football this season.
Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie has relayed Newcastle’s interest in Williams, while also throwing Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury into the mix.
“I know there is interest in Brandon Williams from Manchester United,” Downie told Sky’s Transfer Talk Show. “
"However we have mentioned Southampton and Bayer Leverkusen, so there is a lot of interest in that player. Whether he (Bruce) can bring him to Newcastle, we’ll have to wait and see.”
He added: “Steve Bruce feels he’s not got legs in his midfield to get up and down the park, get back and defend and also support the strikers, I think we saw that against Arsenal.
“The player he’s interested in is Leicester City’s Hamza Choudhury, but again, there’s lots of interest in that young player to bring him in on loan. He will need to fend off competition if he were to bring him in.
“That one as well, could go to the wire.”
Meanwhile, another Premier League club has joined a long list of names - including Newcastle - in the race for Josh King.
Here’s a round-up of some of the other transfer rumours involving Newcastle and their Premier League rivals this morning:
5. Lingard transer saga goes on
Sheffield United, Tottenham and West Ham are among a number of clubs interested in Jesse Lingard, however Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reluctant to loan him out despite the 28-year-old not being in his plans. (TalkSPORT) Photo: OLI SCARFF
6. De Paul set to hire Raiola
Udinese midfielder and Leeds United target Rodrigo De Paul is set to hire super agent Mino Raiola, whose client list includes Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Inter Milan and Roma are two clubs showing interest in the Argentine. (Calciomercato) Photo: Alessandro Sabattini
7. De Paul 'missing piece of jigsaw'
Former Leeds striker Noel Whelan believes De Paul “is the missing piece of the jigsaw” at Elland Road. He said: “He would compliment Rodrigo and Kalvin Phillips. He is the missing piece of the jigsaw.” (Football Insider) Photo: Alessandro Sabattini
8. Rangers tipped to sell Kent
Darren Bent has tipped Rangers to sell Leeds target Ryan Kent this month, if the price is right. He said: “Leeds had huge interest in him but it didn’t quite work out but again I always go back and say if the price is right, the player will go.” (Football Insider) Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos