Bolton Wanderers may be forced to concede defeat in their pursuit of Newcastle United striker Adam Armstrong, according to the Chronicle.
The newspaper claim that the Championship newcomers have been chasing the 20-year-old on a season-long loan deal ahead of the new season, but could miss out on his signature.
The sticking point for Bolton is that they could struggle to contribute a percentage of Armstrong’s weekly wage due to their ongoing financial constraints.
Newcastle are open to allowing the young attacker to leave on loan for the duration of the 2017-18 campaign, and have identified the Championship as their preferred destination for the player.
Armstrong spent time last season on loan in the second-tier with Barnsley, where he contributed six goals and four assists from 35 appearances in all competitions.
However, upon his return to St. James’ Park at the end of his loan agreement, Armstrong’s representatives have been informed that he will struggle to earn regular first-team opportunities at the club next term.
But the Magpies will expect any potential suitor to offer a significant contribution to his wages throughout his loan spell, in an attempt to balance the books on Tyneside.
The England Under-20 international has previously broken into the first-team setup at the club, making 21 appearances in all competitions since making his debut in March 2014, but he has yet to net his first senior goal.
Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez currently has four centre-forward players at his disposal in Dwight Gayle, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Daryl Murphy and Emmanuel Riviere ahead of their Premier League campaign.
Therefore, Armstrong finds himself at the back of the queue for a starting spot.