Newcastle United transfer target 'closing in' on January move as loan 'approved'

Newcastle United may be losing ground on one of their reported January targets. The Magpies have been heavily linked with a move for Manchester City star Kalvin Phillips ahead of the winter window, with Pep Guardiola having all-but admitted that the England international will be allowed to leave.

A loan exit looks most likely, and that would suit Newcastle, given the Financial Fair Play concerns they have heading into the winter. But while on paper it would seem likely that the Magpies should look to replace the suspended Sandro Tonali, Eddie Howe seems to have other ideas.

Howe said "No, that is not where my mind is at. We recruited a midfield player in the summer to give us competition for places in that area. Unfortunately, we have lost him for a period of time so that is something that we could not necessarily control.

"As I say, regarding FFP being a big part of our January and our future because it's not going away. FFP is going to be here for a long, long time. We have to try to navigate that and be very careful with what we do."

In the meantime, it seems Newcastle are losing ground in the race to sign Phillips, with Juventus said to be working on a deal. Marco Conterio has reported that the Old Lady are closing in on a deal ahead of January, with 'contacts continuing'. It's also claimed that Phillips himself has approved a loan move to the Serie A giants.

It's reported that the two clubs are now working on a salary split agreement, but there is some good news for Newcastle. Conterio also reports that the Magpies are interested and that Phillips would also be happy to make a temporary switch to St James' Park. Phillips' priority is to be a starter wherever he goes, keen to make England's Euro 2024 squad for the coming summer.