What Newcastle’s recruitment team are now doing internally after making Kalvin Phillips decision

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The Newcastle United recruitment team are not standing still after the club made a decision on Kalvin Phillips.

The Manchester City midfielder has been the Magpies’ top target during the January transfer window, and there was even confidence that he would arrive on loan at St James’ Park.

He did arrive at the weekend, but only as part of the Man City squad that beat Newcastle 3-2. Since then, talk of a transfer to Tyneside has taken a turn.

It was reported on Monday that Newcastle had cooled their interest in the 28-year-old, with Man City wanting too much money to loan him out for a few months. And there is also the added issue that they want any deal to include an obligation to buy in the summer.

That is why Newcastle have distanced themselves from Kalvin Phillips, and will not be returning to the table unless Manchester City move the goalposts and lower their demands.

In the meantime, Newcastle can’t stand still. They need a midfielder more than ever, with Joelinton potentially out for the rest of the season with an injury.

Newcastle now looking for Kalvin Phillips alternatives

According to the Athletic, Newcastle are now looking for alternatives to Kalvin Phillips after deciding that they will not pay the money that Manchester City are looking for.

The Athletic add that the Toon recruitment team are looking domestically and abroad for a Phillips alternative. They state that the club are focusing on loan arrivals rather than permanent deals, and that they are not close to signing anyone.

The fact that no deal is close is not encouraging, nor is it surprising. If Newcastle are going to sign anyone, it will probably be in the latter stages of the month.

But it is clear that Howe needs another midfielder. He only has three that are fully fit right now, while a two-game ban is hanging over Bruno Guimaraes’ head. The 26-year-old is just one booking away from his 10th of the season, which will result in a suspension.

That is why Newcastle need to find an alternative to Phillips, and it ideally needs to be someone who the club want at St James’ Park long-term. That will be difficult to find right now, but it is encouraging to hear that they are looking abroad. That is where Newcastle will find better value compared to the inflated prices in the Premier League.

Hopefully the recruitment team have an ace up their sleeve and can pull out a surprise before the January transfer window slams shut in just over two weeks.