Newcastle know that sales will be crucial in their efforts to bolster Eddie Howe’s squad, with PSV Eindhoven’s Belgian winger, Johan Bakayoko, linked with a £24million transfer move
Eddie Howe has warned he won’t sell players in January unless it benefits the long-term future of Newcastle.
The Geordies will be battling to keep the likes of star men Bruno Guimaraes, who is being monitored by Manchester City, and Alexander Isak. The United coach has demanded that his squad stay united and forget about the window in a bid to continue their upturn in form at Ipswich after two wins and seven goals in the last two games.
A raft of players including Miguel Almiron, Kieran Trippier, Martin Dubravka, Matt Targett, Sean Longstaff have been linked with moves away next month to make financial room for targets including £24million Belgian PSV winger Johan Bakayoko. Howe said: “Hopefully we won’t lose anybody we won’t want to lose.
“I think everything has got to align, I think there has got to be a lot of things that come together. It’s got to be right, not just for the here and now but for the future as well. We’ve got to be responsible to make sure any decision we make doesn’t affect us in future windows as well.”
Dubravka, current No1 with Nick Pope injured, could leave for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Shabab after seven years on Tyneside and Howe said: “It’s not something that I want to read about or the players to read about.
“Everyone that is contracted to us here is our player and I want their focus to be on playing well for us for as long as they are here. We have so many big games to come, we need everyone focused on what they’re doing in the here and now.”
Asked if players could leave he replied: “There is always a possibility, I never sit here and say no one will leave but it’s got to be in conjunction with what we need from the team’s perspective and again, always battling and balancing the long-term future of the club. We’ll need to be reactive and ready to do certain things.”
Which players can Newcastle afford to sell in January? Have your say in the comments section.
Almiron is interesting Wolves and Leicester and Howe said: “Miggy’s still absolutely Miggy and I mean that as an absolute compliment – smiley, happy, focused, professional, an unbelievable guy.
“He’s never lacked in anything he’s delivered for us, and I know he’s ready to play if needed. There’s been a lot of speculation over Miggy’s future for a while now, but I think all I’d ever say to any player who’s contracted here and absolutely loved like Miggy is, then my only focus is on Miggy being here and showing him the respect that he’s deserved for his contribution to Newcastle.”
Asked if he was close to landing a quick signing next month Howe said: “That’s not the reality. We’re not close to sealing any transfer or closing in on any player. For me, the discussions about January have been very loose. For me, the focus at the moment is purely on coaching the team.”
Prediction XI: (4-3-3) Dubravka; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Willock; Gordon, Isak, Murphy
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