Steve Bruce waits on Mike Ashley 'conversation' ahead of Newcastle United takeover decision

Steve Bruce expects to speak to Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley once the summer transfer window opens.
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Bruce has again stressed that it’s “business as usual” at the club as Ashley waits for a decision from the Premier League on a proposed £300million takeover.

United have made contingency plans ahead of the window, which opens on Sunday, in case the Saudi Arabia-backed takeover is not approved.

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And Bruce – who has been dealing with managing director Lee Charnley – is waiting on a “conversation” with Ashley, who agreed the sale in April and has since been focused on his retail empire.

“I'm sure, along the way, I'll have a conversation with the owner,” said Bruce. “Since I've taken over, we've had a few conversations, but it's not an everyday, or every week, thing.

"My remit is always through Lee Charnley. I speak to him once, twice, three times a day, maybe, and that's my job over the summer to keep doing what we do – and see what we can do.

"As I keep saying, we all need a bit of clarity – I've said enough on that (takeover) – and see where that takes us.”

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Bruce believes that the summer’s transfer market will be very different to previous years given the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Steve Bruce.Steve Bruce.
Steve Bruce.

However, United’s head coach is excited by some of the names under consideration at St James’s Park.

Bruce said: “The big thing is, can we get them over the line? There will be so many names bandied around – already it's gone to town – that's the way it is.

“I'm sure there will be a lot of names bandied about, but we've got one or two which I'll be delighted if we can pull them off to start the summer.

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“Watch this space. I can't see a big, huge flurry of signings very quickly. I think a lot of clubs are going to have to take stock of what's just happened in the world, so I think it’ll be quite slow.

"Of course, the big boys will dominate it, but I don't think there'll be a huge amount of movement, just basically clubs taking stock of what's just happened to them.

“Obviously, budgets have been disrupted a bit, and, of course, when you take into account that there’s no season ticket money either, and refunds even. Budgets and everything will have to be discussed again.”

Bruce signed three players – Nabil Bentaleb, Danny Rose and Valentino Lazaro – on loan in January’s transfer window.

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"One of the reasons I didn’t really buy in January was to keep it ready for the summer, because I didn’t think we could get the value for money,” said Bruce.

Obviously, that will have changed, but then again there are a lot of clubs that are going to find it very difficult.

"Our job is to make sure what we have got we spend wisely – and get the best players that we possibly can.

"And make no mistake, if they’re not going to improve us, then we won’t be taking them. We have to add a bit of quality.”