STEVE BRUCE will urge Newcastle owner Mike Ashley to splash the cash – with RB Leipzig star Ademola Lookman being targeted.
But the Toon manager scoffed at suggestions he is just a puppet.
Steve Bruce is set for talks with Mike Ashley in the coming daysCredit: Reuters
Bruce is set to ask Ashley for £20m to sign LookmanCredit: EPA
Ashley has not seen Bruce since August and will arrive on Tyneside for face-to-face talks in the coming days.
Under Rafael Benitez, the unpopular Sports Direct chief spent £20.7million on Miguel Almiron last January.
And Bruce will ask his “supportive” boss — who called the transfer summit — for a similar new year boost.
Bruce is keen on RB Leipzig’s forward Ademola Lookman and has a war chest of around £20m.
Ahead of the Toon Army’s FA Cup third-round replay against Rochdale tonight, he said: “Mike wanted to come in and see if he could give us a hand.
“It’s encouraging and he’s been supportive. He wants to come and have a cup of tea with me, so fine.
“My pitch will be: If there is somebody out there will you try to help us? I’m not just going to say to him, ‘We have to have x and y’, and, ‘They’re not good enough’.
“Almiron has been terrific. If there’s another similar one, let’s see if we can get them.”
Fans fumed when Bruce was appointed boss, slating the owner’s stewardship for a lack of ambition.
But Bruce insists he will push him to open his chequebook for the right man.
He added: “I don’t want to be labelled that puppet thing again. I was aware of people’s thoughts but that will never be the case.
“He just lets me get on with the job. You have to have a strong relationship with the owner or CEO and it’s very strong at the moment.”
Newcastle are down to the bare bones as their injury jinx continued at Wolves on Saturday, with Paul Dummett and Dwight Gayle forced off with hamstring problems.
Joelinton carried on despite being “almost lame” but Bruce will field his strongest side at St James’ Park tonight.
He welcomes back skipper Jamaal Lascelles, who injured a knee in November, and hopes Joelinton has recovered sufficiently to start.
The Toon boss added: “It’s been a horrible two or three weeks but on the good side, by the end of the month I think they could all be back.”
Rochdale striker Aaron Wilbraham, 40, forced a replay for the League One side after making it 1-1 at Spotland.
Mike Ashley hasn’t seen Bruce since AugustCredit: PA:Press Association
The Magpies have not reached the FA Cup fifth round since 2006 but would face Oxford at home if they progress.
Bruce, who reached the final with Hull in 2014, said: “We’ve got a great opportunity. If Hull can get to the final then, with a bit of luck, if the draw’s kind to us we’ve got a chance.
“It’s Rochdale’s big day, of course we understand that. A replay at somewhere like Newcastle is something they’ll remember for a long time.”
BT Sport commentator Robbie Savage blasts ‘disgraceful and pathetic’ Newcastle fans who chanted ‘w*****’ at him on TV
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
