Newcastle United set to unleash 'top quality addition' vs Nottingham Forest amid transfer claim

The Magpies have recruited four new signings so far this summer - five if you include Lewis Hall’s permanent switch from Chelsea - but want at least one more before the window closes on Friday at 11pm. Of those additions, only Hall and Lloyd Kelly have started in the Premier League, while Will Osula and goalkeepers John Ruddy and Odysseas Vlachodimos are yet to make an appearance.

United have been locked in talks with Crystal Palace over defender Marc Guehi for the best part of three weeks but are yet to reach an agreement despite submitting four bids, the latest understood to be worth £65million including add-ons.

Asked if he’s confidence the business he wants will get done, Howe replied: “I don’t know how to answer that. We’ll just carry on about our business. We’re not in control of it so we’ll see.” While there is a desire from Howe to strengthen his squad with new additions, the United boss is excited by the return of some familiar faces, namely Sandro Tonali, who is set to feature in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie away to Nottingham Forest after 10 months out with a betting ban.

Howe, though, did refrain from labelling Tonali ‘like a new signing’. He said: “I don’t know if I like to use that because then people say you’ve got what you need so no!”

“I think we’ve made it clear, we’d love to add to the group but they have to be the right players at the right price for the short and long term benefit of the football club,” Howe added. “We’re not in control of it, we’ll work as hard as we can to try and improve the squad.

“I think we’ve got top quality players here and we’ve still got a few more players to come back from injury so hopefully we’ll make the group stronger. Sandro’s ban is finished, so we’ll be delighted to welcome him back. He’s another top quality addition.”