Bruce confirms NUFC have just missed out on his "big target" - Player's identity now clear...

Steve Bruce has confirmed that the club have missed out on a "big target" of his over the past 24 hours, saying the 'mystery' player has "unfortunately gone elsewhere".

It doesn't take a genius to work out that the player he is referring to is almost certainly Jesse Lingard.

Sky Sports confirmed last night that he 'rejected' an offer from Newcastle United before agreeing to join West Ham on loan until the end of the season, with The Telegraph's Mike McGrath also reporting that he was a 'top target' of Bruce's this month, so it's safe to say it's him!

Here's what Steve Bruce had to say about it when speaking to the press earlier today:

"We’ve lost out on one in the last 24 hours, which would have been a nice addition.

"Unfortunately, he’s gone elsewhere.

"He was the big target of mine but, unfortunately, got away."

Lingard may have been seen as a very decent coup a few years ago, but his total lack of game time and dubious character make me question why on earth he was a "big target" of Bruce's.

After all, his reason for opting against a move for Jetro Willems was due to the fact he "hadn't played enough games" - yet Lingard has played THREE times in all competitions for Man Utd this season.

Combine that with the fact he'll be on big wages and tends to act like an immature youngster with a lot to learn, not a 28-year-old who should be in his prime, it feels like a bizarre 'top target'.

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