NUFC hope to sign Premier League midfielder on loan with option to buy - The Telegraph

According to The Telegraph, Newcastle are trying to sign Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury in the final week of the January transfer window.

That said, it seems the current problem is that the Foxes would far rather sell the 23-year-old - where as we are only interested if it's a 'loan with an option to buy at the end of the season'.

Luke Edwards' piece for The Telegraph also claims that the club are anticipating a 'hectic last few days' of the January transfer window, with us struggling to do business up until now due to the fact several clubs are unwilling to allow players to leave on loan until they have signed replacements.

Not only that, it's said our issues have also stemmed from the 'financial restrictions' in place under Mike Ashley - as the NUFC owner appears hugely reluctant to spend while he attempts to salvage the failed Saudi takeover bid.

Choudhury was expected to feature in Leicester City's FA Cup clash with Brentford over the weekend, but ended up being an unused substitute in their 3-1 win.

So, it seems we'll be continuing to search for potential loan deals between now and Sunday night in a bid to strengthen our squad, with us appearing to be in the market for a much needed midfielder and a left-back to give Jamal Lewis some competitions.

As for Choudhury, he's not the ball-carrying box to box midfielder we need, but he'll put in far more tackles and get about the pitch far better than the likes of Hendrick and Shelvey!

Here's what Bruce said on transfers earlier today:

"I'm still hopeful"

"We've got one or two things bubbling along but a lot of clubs were waiting to see what's happened after this weekend to see if they're still in the FA Cup or not,"

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