Key events
Eddie Howe has continued a candid press conference with his thoughts on FFP/PSR rules, and the future of Joelinton at the club.
“It has been a difficult window so far, as you can imagine for us,” he said. “It’s the first time since I’ve been manager of the club that we’ve been linked with players leaving and that creates an unsettling dynamic.
Howe described Joelinton’s long-term injury as “a massive blow” and accepted the Brazilian, who has 18 months left on his contract, could depart in the summer. “It’s a possibility [he could leave] but I hope that’s not the case. I want him to stay.”
On potential new arrivals: “Things are changing on a daily basis. We’re working behind the scenes on targets. But there’s no guarantee it will happen. It’s my end to try and leave the window with the strongest squad possible.”
Howe has also moved to cool speculation that any other players could leave Newcastle before deadline day, saying he wants to “keep our best players” with Miguel Almirón and Callum Wilson linked with moves in January.
“For us and for me sat here now, I want to keep our best players. I want to keep every player in a squad that is very thin on the ground at the moment, so contemplating losing a player at this stage would be very difficult for me personally.”
On Almirón, Howe added: “There has been a lot of noise and speculation about his future, but as his manager I’m desperate to keep him.”
On Wilson, he said: “It’s been a strange one. A lot of speculation and a lot of it unfounded … In every conversation, he’s 100% committed. No part of him is looking elsewhere.
“He’s got big ambitions and we want to keep him here. But some things are out of our control. The club is acting with the long-term interests of the club and they have to. Let’s see what happens.”
Eddie Howe is confident Kieran Trippier will not leave Newcastle this month, after Bayern Munich saw three bids rejected this week and then cooled their interest.
“His situation is finished as far as everyone is concerned: Kieran, myself,” the Newcastle manager said. “But I’ve just been in football long enough to never ever say 100% because I don’t want to look stupid.
But Kieran is 100% committed and we definitely want to keep him. It’s a huge compliment that a club like Bayern are interested in [Trippier]. It’s no surprise to me because he’s an outstanding player.”
Leander Dendoncker joins Napoli on loan
Another done deal! Aston Villa midfielder Leander Dendoncker has joined Napoli on loan for the rest of the season. The Belgian is the fourth new recruit for the defending Serie A champions this month as they bid to turn their season around, and they are expected to add Udinese defender Nehuén Pérez later today.
Dendoncker has made 15 appearances for Villa this season, with his only goal coming at Old Trafford in the 3-2 defeat to Manchester United. having joined from Wolves in 2022. According to Fabrizio Romano, Napoli have also agreed a €9m summer purchase option for the 28-year-old.
🔵🇧🇪 Leander Dendoncker, new Napoli player on loan from Aston Villa until the end of the season.
Buy option clause: €9m. pic.twitter.com/0XUnqM3jEY
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 26, 2024
Catch up on this morning’s hottest gossip, with John Brewin.
Here’s more on Phillips’ arrival and West Ham’s other transfer plans – with Pablo Fornals one potential departure as David Moyes looks to add another winger.
Kalvin Phillips completes West Ham loan move
Let’s jump straight in with a done deal – Kalvin Phillips has joined West Ham on loan until the end of the season from Manchester City.
“I’m really pleased to be here,” Phillips said after completing a move, albeit with no purchase option in place yet. “There’s so much to look forward to in the second half of the season for the club and I can’t wait to be part of it.
“There’s an unbelievable group here and if I can come in and add the quality that I know I’m capable of, I’m sure we can give the West Ham fans plenty to be excited about between now and the end of the season.”
The West Ham manager David Moyes said: “We are really pleased to bring a player of Kalvin’s quality to West Ham United. We’ve been big admirers of him for a long time and we believe that he will add strength and competition to our squad.”
Phillips joined City from Leeds United two summers ago for £42m but has never established himself. On Thursday, Pep Guardiola said: “Hopefully he can play the minutes he deserves and I couldn’t give to him. He’s an exceptional human being and football player … hopefully he can prove what he really is.”
Preamble
As Joey Tempest once sang, it’s the final countdown. There are seven days to go in the transfer window and with purse strings finally loosening in a few boardrooms, things are about to get wild. Or at least, very interesting. Mildly interesting.
One player who could be on the move is Callum Wilson, valued at £18m and coveted by no fewer than four Premier League clubs – West Ham, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United. What will Eddie Howe have to say about that? We’ll find out later on.
We will also check in with Jürgen Klopp and Erik ten Hag, one of whom could probably use about £100m in the next week or so. We’ll keep you updated on EFL and European deals, and also take a peek at Mohamed Salah’s hamstring, if time allows.