Yesterday afternoon it was reported that Watford's former Walsall striker Troy Deeney had become a transfer target of Newcastle United and new manager Steve McClaren as he looks to help the Magpies move up the Barclays Premier League.
Since the initial ESPNFC report, several more media outlets have also reported the story, and suggested that McClaren has been handed a £25,000,000 war chest by owner Mike Ashley in a bid to revive the club's fortunes.
The former England Head Coach is known to be a big admirer of Watford striker Deeney, who has scored more than 20 goals for three consecutive seasons.
It has been reported McClaren had a £9,000,000 bid turned down for the striker while he was in charge of Derby County.
ELTON JOHN - "THANKS FOR TROY DEENEY"
The Magpies have struggled for goals and narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League last season, with new manager Steve McClaren making the purchase of a striker his priority this summer.
A number of forwards have been linked with a move to St James' Park -- including Queens Park Rangers' Charlie Austin and former star Andy Carroll from West Ham United -- but Deeney figures highly on the club's wanted.
Deeney joined Watford from Walsall for £500,000 in 2010 and could now command a fee in excess of £10,000,000.
The Saddlers have a sell-on clause which is believed to be for as much as 20% of a future sale.
