Why Newcastle United will NOT look to free transfers to fill striker void

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Steve Bruce, Manager of Newcastle United looks on prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Norwich City at St. James Park on February 01, 2020 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

United boss Steve Bruce failed with bids for Chelsea's Olivier Giroud in the final days of the winter window, while they are also believed to have enquired about the availability of former frontman Salomon Rondon.

These failures left Bruce with only ONE fit forward – Joelinton – over the last few weeks with Dwight Gayle, Andy Carroll and Yoshinori Muto all injured.

That has resulted in United going without a forward on the bench, with doubts about Elias Sorensen following another failed loan spell in the Football League.

But Bruce is not set to dip back into the market for reinforcements – and the reason why it is not even under consideration is due to the Magpies’ 25-man Premier League squad.

While United are able to name a totally new 25-man squad this month – with January seen as a fluid period where players can come in and out of the first-team squad (see Liam Gibson at Everton) – they are unlikely to make too many changes.

Ki Sung-yeung, Paul Dummett and Jetro Willems are all set to be removed the 25-man list from the start of the campaign, when it is confirmed this week.

In will come Nabil Bentaleb, Valentino Lazaro and Danny Rose, who all arrived on loan last month.

The trio made their Newcastle Premier League debuts on Saturday against Norwich City.