Steve Bruce has confirmed to talkSPORT Newcastle United failed in an attempt to land Olivier Giroud.
The Magpies have been searching for a new striker and made an approach for the Chelsea outcast earlier this month, but were rebuffed, with Bruce expecting him to move elsewhere.
Asked by Jim White if he has moved for the 33-year-old France international, Bruce responded: “I did try a few weeks ago.
“We did try but it looked as if he was going elsewhere.”
Newcastle look unlikely to sign a new striker before the 11pm deadline today, with Bruce adamant he will only bring someone in if they are better than his current options.
“Everybody is in the market [for a striker] and it is very, very difficult,” he said.
“We are at a disadvantage at the moment because we have Andy Carroll, Dwight Gayle and [Yoshinori] Muto injured but in two weeks time for the Arsenal game I expect all of them to be fit.
“If there is nobody out there that is going to improve us, we will keep our powder dry until the summer.”
Newcastle have made three signings this month and Bruce is happy with the business he has done.
Danny Rose was the latest incoming on Thursday, signing on loan from Tottenham, following the arrivals of Nabil Bentaleb from Schalke 04 and Valentino Lazaro from Inter Milan earlier this month.
On Rose’s move, Bruce said: “The boy wanting to come back up north and playing for Newcastle really swung it.
“He understood we had nearly 50,000 people for Oxford last week which was remarkable and the thought of him joining a big club, a big atmosphere, big stadium certainly helped. We welcome him aboard, he is a great signing for us.
“He was playing for England in September and playing in the European Cup final last summer. He has got real big quality.
“We are delighted to have him, he wants to come and play so I’m sure he will be a big addition for us.”
