Newcastle United will have to cough up a compensation fee to prise Steve Bruce away from Sheffield Wednesday.

The Mirror says Bruce will cost Newcastle a £1million transfer fee - and they want him in the hot seat before the weekend.

The Geordies are poised to make an official approach to Sheffield Wednesday for Bruce, 58, who only took over at Hillsborough in January.

After bossing 10 clubs in more than 800 games over a 20 year career in the dugout, Bruce is expected to jump at the chance to manage his hometown club.

He is on a year-long rolling contract with the Championship Owls.

Newcastle want a new manager in charge before flying to China on Saturday for pre-season games, starting with Wolves on Wednesday.