Bruce ‘likes’ Choudhry but won’t make a move for ex-loanee Jetro
Steve Bruce has addressed Newcastle United’s interest in Hamza Choudhury.
The relegation-threatened club has been strongly linked with a move for the Leicester City midfielder in this month’s transfer window – and Bruce has admitted to “liking” the 23-year-old, who is reportedly available for transfer.
United's head coach said: "It’s somebody we’ve liked, it’s been reported, but, as I’ve said, I’m never going to speak about anybody else’s players.
"I think that would be wrong, but it’s somebody that we do like.”
Bruce still hopes to sign “one or two” players on loan before tonight’s transfer deadline.
“Well, we’ve had to be patient, and we’re still hopeful,” said Bruce.
"I’ve got one or two calls to make to managers. We’re still hopeful we can get one or two over the line.”
There have been discussions over a move for former loanee Jetro Willems, who suffered a serious knee injury playing for the club against Chelsea a year ago.
However, Bruce has all but ruled out a move for the 26-year-old Eintracht
Frankfurt defender, who is yet to play a competitive first-team game this season following successful surgery last year.
“I think Jetro hasn’t played enough, unfortunately,” said Bruce.
Newcastle have again been linked with Strasbourg’s Ibrahima Sissoko, and Arsenal's Ainsley Maitland-Niles. According to L’Equipe, United are tracking Sissoko, though a move would seem unlikely as Strasbourg would demand a sizeable fee for the 23-year-old, who was a previous target for Newcastle.
Sissoko is contracted to the club until 2024.
Meanwhile, the Daily Telegraph report that England international Maitland-Niles, also said to be a target for Southampton and West Bromwich Albion, is also wanted by Bruce.
Maitland-Niles is said to want gametime ahead of the rescheduled Euro 2020 tournament this summer.
The 23-year-old – who has only made five Premier League starts this season – reportedly said goodbye to his team-mates at Arsenal’s London Colney training ground last week.