'He'll be very interested' - Friend of Steve Bruce names Euro 2020 striker he'll want to sign this summer

Dean Windass - a self-proclaimed 'good friend' of Steve Bruce's - believes the Newcastle United boss is 'very interested' in signing Dutch striker Wout Weghorst this summer.

The 6ft 5' Wolfsburg hitman has been linked with a move to Tyneside on a couple of occasions over the past 12 months, with The Athletic recently revealing that we had sounded out a move for the forward last year.

He's just been dumped out of Euro 2020 with the Netherlands, via a shock 2-0 defeat to the Czech Republic on Sunday, and is expected to land a move this summer after bagging 25 goals in the Bundesliga last season.

Here's what Windass told Transfer Tavern when asked about our reported interest, insisting that he's exactly the sort of player he can Steve Bruce wanting:

 “He’s a big lad.

"Steve likes a big number nine; he always has done.

"I just think that Steve needs a big, fit number nine, Joelinton has struggled with the price-tag.

“Anyone who fills the number nine shirt is up against it with Alan. But he is a threat and Steve likes that, that’s his type of player.

"Every manager in the world will be looking for players, and Steve will be very interested.”

I'm sure Bruce would like to sign him, but I very much doubt we are in a position to sanction a deal worth £20m plus for a 28-year-old who has been linked with a host of big clubs.

After all, if there's no takeover and Bruce is handed a basic budget by Mike Ashley, I expect most of the money available to go towards a permanent deal for Joe Willock.

A good player who looks built for English football, but I can't see it at present - no matter how keen Bruce may be to bring in the big man!

Follow us on Twitter (@NUFCBlogcouk) and on Facebook HERE