This is what agents have been saying about Newcastle United's transfer business

Is there any money to spend at Newcastle United this month?
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Some agents and intermediaries seem to think that there isn’t cash available for permanent transfers – and that the club will only look to sign one or two loanees. But are they right?

Steve Bruce, however, made a more ambitious “pitch” to owner Mike Ashley this week.

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Bruce met the club’s owner – who watched Tuesday night’s 4-1 FA Cup win over Rochdale – for transfer talks.

“My pitch will be ‘if there’s somebody out there, will you try and help us?’,” said Bruce, speaking ahead of their meeting on Tyneside.

Bruce would love United – who have been told by RB Leipzig that winger Ademola Lookman won’t be loaned out – to sign a player capable of having the same impact as Miguel Almiron, who joined a year ago in a £21million deal.

Players like that cost money.

Bruce also said Ashley had been “supportive” of him, and we’ll learn a lot more about their relationship between now and the end of the month.

Mike Ashley and Lee Charnley, right.Mike Ashley and Lee Charnley, right.
Mike Ashley and Lee Charnley, right.
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Rafa Benitez, Bruce’s predecessor, was involved in a series of stand-offs over transfers and his contract in the last 18 months of his time at St James’s Park. In the first half of last season, Benitez was saying it would be a “miracle” if his team stayed up. Benitez got Almiron, and Newcastle finished 13th.

Bruce – who again dismissed claims he is a “puppet” – has taken a different approach, but will it work? Is there another Almiron out there? And if there is, can United afford him?

“I was aware of people’s thoughts (about being a puppet), but that’ll never be the case,” said head coach Bruce. “I want what’s best for the club. If we can get somebody better, then I’ll try and ask that question.”

Ashley didn’t particularly like some of Benitez’s public comments on transfers, but is Bruce any more likely to get the answer he wants by taking a different approach?

We’ll find out by the end of the month, though the right players have to be available, either for loan or permanent transfers, for Ashley to have a decision to make in the first place.