Eddie Howe drops transfer hint as Newcastle United secure 'good deal' & hold Marc Guehi talks

Will Osula has become the Magpies’ fifth summer signing after joining from Championship side Sheffield United for an initial £10million, which could rise to £15m in add-ons.

The 21-year-old arrives having made 31 senior appearances for the Blades, however he is yet to score in England’s top two tiers with his three goals in total coming in last season’s FA Cup.

That has raised some eyebrows but Howe said: “It's a very difficult position to fill because you want someone that feels good enough to play but to recruit attacking players, it always costs more money.

“We couldn't commit huge sums of money to that position but we feel we've signed someone that with development and work, can be a high level player. I'm excited to start working with him today.”

Howe has backed the player to live up to his potential as he learns from Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson. It is the first time United have had a third choice striker since Chris Wood left for Nottingham Forest 18 months.

Howe added: “I think it’s a very tricky situation because we’ve got two outstanding centre forwards in my opinion, very good. And to find someone to compliment them isn’t as easy as you think it is. To find any young striker we can develop… I don’t think he’ll have two better centre forwards to learn from, pick their brains and use as role models.

“I think he’s come into a real healthy environment. It’ s not easy to find players with a profile. Of course, financially it had to work us as well, we couldn’t spend outrageous sums of money so I think this is a good deal for us. We’ve got a lot of work to do with him but he’s a really good character and I’m sure he’ll enjoy his time with us.

“[He’s] a player I’ve known since Jason’s time at Sheffield United. We’ve been tracking his career the last three years - a player that really excites us, I think he’s got some really good raw ingredients to become a very, very good centre forward.

“He’s got extreme pace, really good physical profile 6ft 3in verging on 6ft 4in and he’s got good technical skills as well. There’s areas of his game to develop obviously but I think he’s coming to the right place to do that.”

Howe went to suggest that the relatively low fee paid for Osula will allow Newcastle to commit more investment to other areas.

Newcastle have held talks with Crystal Palace over Marc Guehi, whose price tag is a reported £65million. Howe was asked about Guehi to which he replied: “I’m unable to give you nothing.”

It is understood a new right forward is also on the wish list. That said, further outgoings could be key.

Howe said: “I don’t think PSR is going to change drastically for us, short term. There’s going to be a period where, yes of course we can recruit, but there’s got to be a balance to that. We’re going to have to bring in income as well. We’re managing that very delicately.

“Of course, with Alex and Callum hopefully both being fit for the majority of the season and carrying that attacking load together, then when you have a sum of money to spend, you’re logically not going to spend a huge sum of money in that position when you have other positions that maybe require a bit more investment. It’s a very difficult balance.

“We’ll try to get it right, but through the period of time that I’m going to be here, I’m sure there’s going to have to be outgoings as well to balance it up the other way.”