Newcastle United's transfer kitty 'revealed' as Mike Ashley makes contingency plans

The Gazette revealed earlier this month that Ashley was having to engage in short-term planning at the club because of the length of time the Premier League has taken, so far, to consider a proposed £300million Saudi Arabia-backed takeover.

Bruce said last week that his transfer budget will most likely be cut due to the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic. United’s head coach said: "I would envisage our budget’s not going to be as big as what it was going to be in January before all this started.”

And the Daily Telegraph reports that Bruce’s will have a £30million budget, which is down from £65million, “as it stands”.

Meanwhile, American investor Henry Mauriss has again been linked with a takeover bid for the club.