Eddie Howe had something ‘positive’ to update Newcastle fans with after beating Hull

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It has not been the most serene of summers for Newcastle United thus far.

Indeed, Eddie Howe has been forced to admit his disappointment at losing talented young players in Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson as Newcastle had to raise funds before a PSR-imposed points deduction came their way.

For their part, owners PIF are said to have been unhappy about it too.

Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi – two key allies for Howe at St James’ Park – have left the club, news that is said to have hit the head coach hard.

All of that, coupled with Howe’s links with the England job and a relatively slow time of it in the transfer market, has made for a pretty frustrating few weeks.

Still, things may be changing for the better.

After beating Hull in a pre-season friendly on Saturday, Howe shared a positive update.

Eddie Howe confirms Newcastle are holding positive transfer talks

Howe was asked by reporters following the 2-0 win on Humberside whether or not he had the final say on transfers, and the 46-year-old replied (via The Chronicle): “It is not about having a final say it is about collaboration.

He then went on to add: “We have had positive talks and we are trying to bring the right players to the football club. But it is never about one person’s decision.

“And neither should it be. It is about a group of people coming together and making the right decisions all for the benefit of the football club.”

Newcastle are making progress on their dream signing

Whether or not Howe was talking about AC Milan’s Malick Thiaw remains to be seen of course but the German international has previously been described as the “dream” signing of the recruitment staff.

Positively, recent reports have suggested the club are closing in on a deal to land the defender, which would answer one of Howe’s wishes this summer.

He’s thought to be eager to land both a new central defender (adding to the addition of Lloyd Kelly) and a right winger before the start of the new Premier League season.

After some relatively frustrating news for the club on the transfer front of late, perhaps this is the boost everyone needed.