ALAN Shearer is worried the delay in finalising a deal to confirm his appointment as permanent manager will cost Newcastle United badly in the transfer market.

The Journal understands that Shearer – who released a statement last night confirming he attached certain conditions to his employment, while simultaneously denying he has made any demands – already has a clear idea of the players he wants to bring in over the summer and is keen to be able to launch the first bids to sign them this week.

Instead, United’s manager-in-waiting is stuck in limbo as he waits for confirmation from the banks that his personal terms and other conditions have been accepted as part of their package to restructure the financing of the club following relegation.

Although a broad agreement has been reached between Shearer and wantaway owner Mike Ashley regarding the amount of money he will have to spend on new players and other guarantees regarding which players will stay at St James’s Park, the banks will have the final say on whether his wages are acceptable within the tight perimeters set in place.

Shearer’s position is also understandable. He is trying to get the best possible deal for himself before committing to a four-year contract and relinquishing a lucrative deal with the BBC – while also ensuring the conditions of his employment give him the best possible chance of success.

There is no point, as far as he is concerned, becoming United manager if he is more concerned with firefighting financially rather than rebuilding the club into one which has a realistic chance of returning quickly to the top flight.

In a statement released last night, Shearer appeared to distance himself from claims he has demanded wages of £2.5m-a-year to sign a four-year contract, although he admitted conditions were attached if he was to accept the job.

He said: “I met Mike Ashley and Derek

Llambias last week and we discussed at length the future of Newcastle United and my desire to be the manager moving forward.

“I made no demands but there were obvious conditions.

“We simply proposed an honest evaluation of what was needed to get the club back into the Premiership whilst building solid foundations for the future.