Eddie Howe prepares for Newcastle transfer scramble amid Almiron admission

28 January 2024 , 14:42

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Eddie Howe during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Fulham and Newcastle United (Image: Rob Newell - CameraSport)

Eddie Howe has admitted Newcastle “massively over-achieved” last season - as he prepared for a last gasp transfer scramble.

The Newcastle boss is braced for a big name sale with Miguel Almiron attracting firm interest from Saudia Arabian clubs. Almiron’s departure could mean Newcastle enter the buyers market and target a midfielder with Amadou Onana and Morgan Gibbs White having been scouted.

Howe says it was vital Newcastle got through to only their second FA Cup last 16 in 18 years against Fulham to keep their trophy hopes alive. But he admitted: “There is a possibility someone could leave before the window shuts.”

Almiron was too “genuinely” ill to play against Fulham said Howe, who says there has been no interest in Jamaal Lascelles this window.

Asked if he’d take the window closing with the same squad he said: “It’s a very clever question. Yeah, I probably would, if you gave me that choice. That’s with no knowledge of what’s going to happen in the next few days. I think if we are able to go with the same squad we’ve had then I’d take that.”

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Asked if his squad has lived up to its potential Howe said: “I think it fulfilled its potential last year. Of course this year has been different. Last year we overachieved massively. That is a credit to the players. That’s not a credit to ourselves, that’s the players.

“This year has been very different for us. We have had situations you could never have foreseen at the start of the season. I think we have been very unlucky at times.

Eddie Howe could be sent to see some late transfer business at Newcastle United (Justin Setterfield)

“We’ve not been able to put our best team out on the pitch. We’ve not been able to change things in game running.

“The players have still given their all. They have still been committed despite some difficult moments. So yeah, this team’s still got a lot more to give and there is loads more in the tank.”

“My job is to get the maximum out of the players I have. Have I done that? Probably in terms of effort and commitment, yes. In terms of our delivery, maybe we are a little bit disappointed but I think there are valid reasons for it.”

Simon Bird