'It hurts' - £33m Premier League star set for Newcastle United meeting after controversial transfer

The Magpies were forced to sell both Elliot Anderson and Minteh in the summer in order to comply with Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and avoid a likely points deduction.

Newcastle were able to make an instant £26million profit on Minteh, despite the winger never kicking a ball for the club. The Gambian was signed from Danish side Odense Boldklub last year and spent the 2023-24 campaign on loan at Feyenoord.

The 20-year-old scored 11 times in 37 appearances for the Eredivisie outfit and has started five of Brighton’s opening seven Premier League games, netting his first goal in the 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur last time out.

Minteh is set to feature in Fabian Hurzeler’s starting XI when the Seagulls visit St James’ Park on Saturday afternoon.

"In my opinion, it was absolutely the right thing to do but it still hurts to have done it,” explained Howe.

“We had no other option and no matter what the narrative is of the future, regardless of how Elliot and Yankuba do, it's still the right thing to do in my opinion for the benefit of Newcastle.

“We couldn't breach PSR and face a points deduction, and they were the only two deals we had on the table at that time.

“We didn't want to sell Yankuba at all, we believed in his potential and everything about his profile fitted what we needed but we had to make a decision based on finances.”

Would he have started for Newcastle? “Yeah he would have been, of course, if he was ours,” said Howe.

“We would have utilised his skillset and the attributes he has and we know tomorrow going against him we're going to have to defend well against him because he has standout qualities - pace, power and a lovely left foot so we are well aware of his strengths.”

Signing a new right forward is viewed as a priority with current options Jacob Murphy and Miguel Almiron at the club long before the PIF takeover in October 2021.