Eddie Howe’s transfer reminder to Newcastle United fans ahead of January window deadline

Eddie Howe insists Newcastle United have a “huge list” of transfer targets - but offered no promises of a breakthrough in the final week of the January window.

The Magpies head coach also warned against panic buying as he aims to further bolster his squad ahead of Monday’s 11pm deadline and achieve Premier League survival.

Howe has added Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood to his ranks so far having signed the pair from Atletico Madrid and Burnley, respectively.

But since Wood arrived on January 13, United have been left frustrated in the transfer market, particularly in the central defender department.

Lille have refused to sell title-winning defender Sven Botman, while Sevilla have maintained a firm stance over Diego Carlos.

As the deadline approaches, Newcastle remain locked in negotiations over Carlos, with the Brazilian believed to be keen on a move to Tyneside.

Jesse Lingard of Manchester United is another player United are chasing but in the words of Howe, there are no guarantees over new signings.

It won’t be through a lack of trying however, with Howe revealing the club have a number of irons in the fire in terms of potential targets.

‘Huge list of names, but no guarantees’

"We’re looking at all alternative targets,” Howe said when speaking ahead of the 1-0 victory at Leeds United.

“Please don’t think I’m sat there with a list of one player and that’s the only player that we would go for.

“We’re looking at a huge list of names but even when the list is big, it still doesn’t mean that you’re guaranteed to get one of those players over the line.

“You’ve got to remember this is, in my opinion, the best league in the world.

“The number of players that can come in and make your team better makes it a very small pond that we’re fishing in with the availability issues that we’ll have in this window compared to the summer.

“I think that’s what people have to understand."

‘Talk about panic is a valid question’

So, with six days of the January transfer window remaining, will Newcastle be forced into panic buying?

Howe said: “Talk about panic is an absolutely valid question in the sense that sometimes, if you dip below the line in terms of a player who you think can improve the group and then end up with someone that hasn’t, you’re in a worse position than when you started.

“That’s the crucial thing for us to remember at all times.”