Football
PA Sport 8y

Newcastle boss Steve McClaren: Saido Berahino would have been a bonus

Newcastle head coach Steve McClaren has said a successful deadline day move for West Bromwich Albion striker Saido Berahino would have been a bonus.

The Magpies tabled a £21 million bid for Berahino on Sunday as they attempted to fend off interest from Tottenham and Stoke, but the Baggies turned down the offer.

McClaren, however, has brought in Jonjo Shelvey, Henri Saivet, Andros Townsend and loan signing Seydou Doumbia at a total cost of around £29m, and said he was happy with the club's business.

"I think it would have been a bonus," he said when asked about the potential arrival of Berahino, who was also reported to have interested Stoke and Tottenham.

"It was ambitious, and I think it would have been a bonus if it had come off. It did not, so we go with what we have got and it's a very, very good squad now."

The Magpies travel to Everton on Wednesday in the Premier League relegation zone, but McClaren believes they have what is needed to survive.

"We are delighted with what we have got and it's enough to see us through and score goals," he added.

"This window was important. I am very pleased with it. I think we have got very good players to add to the squad. Now we have to gel everybody together and the last third of the season and really go for it."

He said new signing Doumbia would bring goalscoring ability but added: "It might take a while to adapt -- and he's not trained for a couple of weeks. It just adds to the squad, competition for places."

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