By Russell Edge

24th Dec, 2017 | 1:56pm

'Last minute' - Shearer reveals Newcastle were on brink of double attacker swoop

Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has revealed that the club were on the brink of securing Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham and current West Ham forward Javier Hernandez during the summer transfer window.

The Magpies endured a difficult pre-season in terms of recruitment, with manager Rafael Benitez publicly voicing his frustrations at the club’s inability to secure his top targets.

In the end he saw just five new faces through the door at St James’ Park, plus Christian Atsu’s permanent deal after his loan spell, with the Spanish boss insisting during the campaign that the squad was not reinforced enough to compete in the top flight.

However things could have been very different for the Magpies, with Shearer revealing that they saw a swoop for a pair of attackers pulled from under their feet at the last minute, with both Hernandez and Abraham joining Newcastle’s Premier League rivals instead.

He told BBC’s Match of the Day (23/12, 22;30): “He (Benitez) wanted to bring players in.

“I know he had Javier Hernandez and Tammy Abraham ready to come in, those deals were pulled at the last minute, which is why he had to spend £5m on Joselu to bring another body in.

“He’s doing a very, very good job – it was always going to be a struggle, and if new owners are to take over then there is no doubt they want him also, which is great news.”

Joselu was the only striker to arrive at the club over summer, joining from fellow top flight side Stoke City, but he has failed to hit the goal trail with just three goals in 17 league outings for the club.

Meanwhile Abraham, who joined Swansea on loan from Chelsea, has scored just four goals in 18 appearances, while Hernandez, who signed permanently for West Ham, has four in 14.

In other Newcastle United news, Benitez has delivered a worrying triple blow after victory over the Hammers.