Newcastle United are reportedly keen on bringing Norwich City left-back Jamal Lewis to St James’ Park, but will struggle to meet the Canaries’ financial demands for the 22-year-old.

Steve Bruce is believed to be targeting Lewis as he seeks to bolster his options ahead of the new season, with Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson and free agent Ryan Fraser also in his sights.

According to the Daily Mail’s report, Bruce wants to improve his squad by adding a series of homegrown options but has been handed a modest budget by the powers that be at the club.

The Canaries have already fended off interest in their academy graduate from Premier League champions Liverpool, who made a single offer of £8million plus £2m in add-ons for Lewis.

City considered this offer to be derisory with sporting director Stuart Webber clear that City wouldn’t sell their young talent on the cheap.

The Northern Ireland international made his first pre-season appearance for Daniel Farke’s men in the second of their friendlies against Bundesliga Two side SV Darmstadt after recovering from a minor knock.

Lewis has now linked up with his country to prepare for games against Romania (Friday, September 4) and Norway (Monday, September 7).

VERDICT: More top-flight interest in Lewis shouldn’t come as a surprise for City supporters who watched as Liverpool publicly courted the left-back.

The fact that the Reds displayed such a strong interest in him, even resulting in a bid, will probably have alerted a series of Premier League clubs who may only have been scouting him vaguely.

But, City will not sell their top talent for below their asking price - with Webber stating James Maddison’s departure to Leicester City set a precedent to how the Canaries would negotiate deals.

Lewis is highly-rated at the club and within the game, but the report seems to suggest that Newcastle’s interest won’t result in a bid due to their lack of finance this summer.

Clubs are still grappling with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, and thus will operating more efficiently this summer.

Whether Lewis does end up getting his Premier League move or not, City can relax in the knowledge that they possess credible first-team options in Xavi Quintilla and Sam McCallum already in their ranks.