Steve McClaren Wants Players Signed Before Newcastle's USA Tour

Newcastle United head coach Steve McClaren has demanded that the board reject any offers for their players until the club's top transfer targets have joined this summer. The Magpies are one of only two Premier League sides, along with Crystal Palace, yet to complete a deal this summer and the Shields Gazette claim McClaren wants to see progress soon. Deals for PSV Eindhoven midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, Queens Park Rangers' Charlie Austin and Schalke 04's Joel Matip - as well as Northampton Town youngster Ivan Toney - are all in the discussion stage.

Newcastle remain positive that they can complete these deals, although they are not likely to be finalised "imminently". Yet the likes of Moussa Sissoko and Tim Krul have been linked with a transfer away from St James' Park in recent days and McClaren is keen not to allow any players to leave until reinforcements have been signed. In fact, McClaren would like to see at least one player arrive before the Magpies embark on their pre-season tour to the USA this weekend.

McClaren will oversee his first pre-season friendly against Gateshead at the International Stadium on Friday and he would love to be able to field at least one new recruit. Although the timeframe for getting players in before Friday's match is slim and so this remains unlikely, the head coach believes it is realistic to have recruits on the plane to the USA - where Newcastle will play three matches - so they can join in the Magpies' pre-season preparations. What's more, McClaren has told the club's board - of which he is a member, being the only Premier League manager to hold such a position - he will not allow any first-team players to depart until replacements have been brought in. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.