Newcastle United are in an interesting position ahead of the January transfer window.
Though Eddie Howe is reportedly open to the idea of signing both a new midfielder and an extra forward, Newcastle are still balancing things on the FFP front.
With that in mind, loans are believed to be on the agenda. Kalvin Phillips is a target on that front amid reports earlier this week that the club were hoping to wrap up a temporary switch rather swiftly.
There is, however, an issue.
Suggestions of a loan fee around £7.5m have emerged but there could be fresh movement on that front.
Kalvin Phillips to Newcastle: Transfer latest
According to the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope, there could be a chance Manchester City’s asking price when it comes to loaning Phillips drops the closer we get to the opening of the January transfer window.
Speaking in a video posted on YouTube after Howe’s pre-match press conference, Hope said: “My understanding of Phillips was that the loan fee coming back was prohibitive. That was three or four weeks ago, somewhere north of £7m.
“Now, there was also an expectation that could come down the closer we get to January. We’re still two or three days away from that, so let’s wait and see but Phillips was one who was absolutely on the list.”
Kalvin Phillips: Newcastle need deal done quickly
The lack of a traditional No.6 was spotted by pundit Tim Sherwood during the loss to Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day.
While Bruno Guimaraes has starred there at times, there was an acceptance even last season that the Brazilian was playing out of position.
With big games to come, Newcastle need reinforcement quickly.
Though FFP issues are to be taken seriously, haggling over loan fees hardly seems conducive to strengthening Howe’s team for the battles to come.
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