Eddie Howe names the midfielder Newcastle United tried to sign this month - but couldn't

Eddie Howe admits Newcastle United were priced out of a move for England international Kalvin Phillips.

The 28-year-old has today joined Premier League rivals West Ham United on loan from Manchester City for the remainder of the campaign, an agreement which does not include an option to buy.

Newcastle and Crystal Palace previously approached Man City over signing Phillips and Howe has confirmed his side were put off by his reported £7million loan fee.

Howe, speaking ahead of Saturday's FA Cup fourth clash away to Fulham, said: "We had to step away from that one due to financial reasons. I don’t want to go into too much detail but it was financial-related."

Phillips moved to the Etihad Stadium from Leeds United in a deal worth £42million 18 months ago. However, the move hasn't gone to plan with Phillips making just two Premier League starts in that time.

Howe remains keen to bolster his squad this month with the midfield identified as a priority position. United are without summer signing Sandro Tonali until August and Joelinton until May after the Brazilian underwent thigh surgery earlier this week.

With Elliot Anderson also sidelined for another six weeks, Newcastle only have three fit senior midfielders in Lewis Miley, Sean Longstaff and Bruno Guimaraes, who is one Premier League yellow card away from a two-match ban.

Asked about potential incomings before the transfer deadline next Thursday, Howe said: “I don’t 100 per-cent know as I sit here now. Things are changing on a daily basis. We are working behind the scenes on lining up targets and potentially players we can bring in but there are no guarantees that’ll happen.

"We’ve got a little bit of time left before the window closes but of course it is my aim to try and leave the window with the strongest squad possible. That won’t change."