Newcastle United are assessing their striker options again in the transfer market following Dwight Gayle's knee injury.
The Magpies had been working closely on a deal for a left-back but their plans have been affected by the pre-season blow for the ex-Crystal Palace man.
Gayle underwent a scan on Tyneside yesterday and his leg is in a support brace following the setback suffered in the 3-0 friendly win over Crewe Alexandra.
The 29-year-old could miss the start of the season with Andy Carroll the only current fit and available striker at United.
United have been linked with Callum Wilson of relegated AFC Bournemouth throughout the summer but Chronicle Live understands that the striker will want more than £75,000 per week to make the trip to the North-East, and Newcastle chiefs have been told to cut their cloth accordingly by Mike Ashley.
With the Cherries insisting on a £30million fee it would potentially clear out Steve Bruce's entire summer budget.
Steve Bruce was keen on bringing in Wilson's team-mate Josh King but the Norwegian international's agent has been aiming high around Europe and been in dialogue with both Lazio and AC Milan.
The Magpies are on a list of Premier League clubs who have been offered the services of Watford centre-forward Troy Deeney but he would command a big wage packet plus a transfer fee.
Although, Deeney is another who commands a big wage packet and is believed to be earning £100,000 a week - something that would go against Newcastle's previous blueprint for a 32-year-old who will want at least a two-year deal.
The Hornets are keen to offload big earners after relegation and Deeney still has one year left to run on his Watford deal but isn't in a hurry to leave.
Deeney, speaking to Talksport recently, said: "I had an opportunity to go to Leicester when they just won the Premier League, obviously it was Champions League football… I never asked to leave then, so why would I ask to leave now?
"If the club decides we need to go our separate ways, it is what it is, I’m a big boy and I can take it on the chin."
The loan market also remains a viable option for Bruce with the head coach utilising it rather than spending money last January when signing Danny Rose, Nabil Bentaleb and Valentino Lazaro.
Bruce used loans as he hoped to save money in January for his summer transfer kitty but the virus pandemic has saw finances cut at St James' Park, with the manager admitting last week: "That could only happen to me!"
United are keen on selling Henri Saivet, Achraf Lazaar and Rolando Aarons - and are seeking a fee for Jacob Murphy to balance the books.
But there are no willing buyers at the moment and United have it all to do in the transfer market if they are to land a striker in time for the big kick off in September against West Ham.
Bruce's problems have been compounded by the absence of Yoshinori Muto and Joelinton in training but while the club are not commenting on the duo, the head coach is fully up to speed with their situations and neither have gone AWOL.
