Shearer reveals inside information on how Newcastle missed out on 2 top strikers

Newcastle start the second half of the Premier League campaign just 2 points above the relegation zone, and the 18 points gathered from the opening 19 games ahead of their midweek clash against Manchester City is also 2 points short of manager Rafa Benitez’s plans.

The Toons are expected to bring in reinforcements next month, and business done during the winter transfer window could prove to be difference between their staying up and relegating come May.

A striker remains top of the agenda in January, but it remains to be seen if club owner Mike Ashley will be providing enough funds to land a quality option.

As per Newcastle legend Alan Shearer, the club were close to landing 2 top finishers in Javier Hernandez and Tammy Abraham in August, only to pull out last minute as the management refused to release funds.

The former striker revealed on BBC’s Match of the Day: “He [Benitez] wanted to bring players in.

“I know he had Javier Hernandez and Tammy Abraham ready to come in, those deals were pulled at the last minute, which is why he had to spend £5m on Joselu.”

Joselu has only managed 3 league goals thus far, and while the West Ham and Swansea striking duo has returned just 4 each, there is no arguing that they are more of a threat in front of goal than the Spaniard.

A couple of names have been linked with Newcastle ahead of January, but with Ashley still around, there are no guarantees