By Eddie Howe's own admission, it's been an unsettling week for Newcastle United with several key players the subject of transfer speculation.
German giants Bayern Munich tried their best to prise Kieran Trippier away from St James' Park by submitting a £13million bid. Newcastle, however, stayed firm and rejected the offer. Bayern admitted defeat and are unlikely to return to the table.
"We obviously hope he'll stay and we're very confident he will. I have to make it clear he has never asked to leave or questioned his future here," said Howe. "It's a huge compliment that a club like Bayern are interested in him, it's no surprise to me because he's an excellent footballer.
“The situation is finished as far as everyone is concerned, Kieran, myself but we've been in football long enough to never, ever say 100% [finished] because I don't want to look stupid. Kieran is 100% committed and we definitely want to keep him."
Meanwhile, Miguel Almiron has attracted interest from Saudi Arabia, namely Al Shabab, who are not one of the four Saudi Pro League clubs owned by United's majority owners PIF.
“There’s been a lot of noise and speculation about his future but certainly as his manager I’m desperate to keep him," replied Howe. "He’s played an integral part since I’ve come to the club in a sense that his contribution has been immense, whether that’s goalscoring, work rate, discipline, commitment or professionalism. There has been a lot of noise, that noise comes from somewhere but hopefully, we can keep him."
And then there's Callum Wilson, who's been linked with AC Milan and Atletico Madrid, and multiple Premier League clubs.
Howe explained: "That’s been a strange one really because there’s been a lot of speculation regarding Callum and I’ve seen some of it, probably not all of it but a lot of it, I think, has been unfounded.
"From our side, Callum is a huge part of what we’re doing. We’re desperate to get both our strikers fit at the same time which we haven’t had for a long time now and that’s hurt us in a lot of different ways. He’s nearing fitness, nearing a return. He’s looked good, not trained with us yet but he’s getting there and no part of me wants to lose Callum."
Wilson won't be involved when Newcastle face Fulham in the fourth round of the FA Cup this evening as he recovers from a calf issue. Trippier and Almiron have trained this week - but does Howe believe they are in the right mindset to start?
NewcastleWorld predicts how Newcastle will line-up at Craven Cottage.
1. GK: Martin Dubravka
The Slovakian has silenced his critics in recent weeks with impressive displays against Liverpool, Sunderland and Man City.
2. RB: Kieran Trippier
Trippier has been the subject of a rejected bid from Bayern Munich this week but that is unlikely to distract the England man.
3. CB: Fabian Schar
The Swiss international continues to be an ever-consistent performer for Newcastle and was rightly rewarded with a new contract earlier this month.
4. CB: Sven Botman
The Dutchman put in his best performance of the season against Man City. Something to build on as he gets over his early-season knee injury.