Eddie Howe has claimed he’s been surprised to hear all of the transfer rumours surrounding one of his Newcastle United players this month.
While the last few weeks have been uneventful for Newcastle both in terms of incomings and outgoings, there have been plenty of rumours linking players with moves away.
So far this month we’ve heard that several Premier League and European teams are in for Callum Wilson, but Howe has claimed in his press conference he was ‘surprised’ to hear he was even linked with a move.
Howe says Newcastle goalscorer is ‘100% committed’
It’s been a very long January thanks to the Profit and Sustainability Rules that the Premier League have put in place which has effectively prevented most clubs from making any big signings this month.
Newcastle are one of those clubs who are very limited in what they can do in terms of new signings, so they will be forced to sell someone if they do want to bring in a new face in the next few days.
Wilson, Miguel Almiron and Kieran Trippier are a few names who have been suggested as possible candidates who Newcastle could cash in on, though nothing concrete looks to have been offered just yet.
However, Howe claimed today that he’s not aware of any interest in Wilson and was actually surprised to hear that he’s been the centre of attention when it comes to Newcastle’s possible outgoings because he’s so committed to the team.
In his press conference, Howe said: “Callum’s 100% committed just like Kieran. That’s why I’m surprised by the noise with Callum really.
“I don’t really understand it, he’s currently injured. We have one fit striker, he’s our second so we’re desperate to get him back.”
Howe hoping for an uneventful Deadline Day
As far as his role as manager is concerned, Howe is hoping to keep this core group together as they look to go on a very good run of form in the second half of the season to push back up the Premier League table.
It was the likes of Almiron, Trippier and Wilson who got Newcastle in such a positive position in the first place and the 46-year-old would prefer to utilise the players he knows he can rely in over the next six months.
That doesn’t mean he’s ruling out any possible departures as things could be taken out of his hands if the club receive a good enough offer, but right now Howe is still happy with what he has to work with at Newcastle.
That won’t be the best of news to the supporters who were hoping for at least one new name after a disappointing start to the season, but there’s still plenty to play for with Europe and an FA Cup up for grabs.
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