Eddie Howe now admits Newcastle did try to sign 28-year-old West Ham player this month

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Newcastle United have not signed anyone during the January transfer window so far, but it has not been for the lack of trying.

There have been plenty of players linked with signing for Newcastle this month, with the most heavily rumoured target being Kalvin Phillips.

The 28-year-old looked destined to join the Magpies, and there was even confidence that he would make the move to Tyneside on loan.

However, Newcastle eventually cooled their interest and pulled out of the race to sign Phillips from Manchester City. He has now got the move he wanted, joining West Ham United on loan for the rest of the season.

He will get the minutes there that he needs, while Newcastle continue to look for a new midfielder given their shortcomings in that position.

But where did it all go wrong for Newcastle and Phillips? Eddie Howe has provided the answer.

Newcastle could not afford Kalvin Phillips

Howe has spoke to the media ahead of Newcastle’s game against Fulham in the FA Cup, and was asked if the Magpies ever got close to signing Phillips from Man City.

“Yeah we had to step away from that one due to financial reasons,” he said.

“I would never go into too much detail but it was financial related.”

Newcastle’s midfielder search goes on

It sounds like the desire was there to do a deal, but the money was not. It looks like Howe really wanted to bring Phillips to Newcastle, but the club just could not justify the deal from a financial perspective.

That is understandable when you consider the terms that West Ham have agreed. They have paid a loan fee of around £5million, while they are also covering his wages in full. If Newcastle had done that, he would have immediately became the highest paid player at the club.

Now Newcastle will look elsewhere, but it sounds like it is going to be completely dependent on someone being sold. The Magpies would like to sign a ‘number eight’, with the likes of Amadou Onana linked, but that is just not going to be possible unless the club cash in on someone.

Miguel Almiron has been talked up as someone who could depart, but Howe has made it clear that he wants the 29-year-old to stay.