Newcastle United head coach Matthias Jaissle has jokingly put the pressure on sporting director Ross Wilson to conclude further transfer business before a journalist's retirement.
Jaissle's joke puts pressure on Wilson
During Thursday's pre-match press conference ahead of Newcastle's Sunday clash with Liverpool, Jaissle presented Press Association journalist Damian Spellman with a signed shirt from the Newcastle squad, emblazoned with 'Spellman 36', to mark his retirement after 36 years on the beat.
When Spellman asked whether more transfer activity, both incomings and outgoings, could be expected this summer, Jaissle responded with a lighthearted challenge to Wilson.
"There is a chance that before you retire, there will be something, so that gives pressure to the sporting director," Jaissle joked. "But there is also time afterwards."
Newcastle's summer business so far
Newcastle have already made six signings this summer: goalkeepers Lukas Hornicek and Ewen Jaouen, right-back Amar Dedic, midfielders Sean Steur and Aladji Bamba, and winger Bazoumana Toure.
"We want to be efficient in the transfer market, but also smart in our approach so we only do the right things, we don't feel hectic or the pressure from outside, we go our way," Jaissle added.
Remaining squad gaps and potential outgoings
United still have some holes in the squad, with an experienced midfielder top of their priority list. A new number 10 is also likely on the shopping list, as the team lacks a natural fit in that position in Jaissle's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.
Further outgoings may occur. Joe Willock is in the final year of his contract, with heavy interest from Turkish side Besiktas. Nick Pope is also in the final year of his deal, and Jaissle revealed earlier this month that the club is working on a solution for his future amid interest from Celtic and Hull City. Jacob Murphy's future is uncertain after entering the final year of his contract, though interest from Everton earlier this summer has waned. Any departure for the 31-year-old would likely see United enter the market to sign another winger.
