Newcastle United transfer update as Eddie Howe and Dan Ashworth hold meeting

Eddie Howe has sat down with Newcastle United’s transfer committee to address the upcoming January window.

The Magpies head coach revealed on Tuesday he had planned to hold talks from the club’s base in Riyadh. And after last night’s 5-0 win over Al-Hilal, Howe confirmed that has now taken place.

Asked how the meeting went, Howe smiled: “Very well, thank you!

He added: “It’s just conversations at this stage. The big thing is a lot can change between now and January.

“We’ve talked and had discussions over what it may look like but there is such a long time before that window opens and still very flexible over what we’re going to do.”

Speaking to the media from Saudi Arabia earlier this week, the 45-year-old played down expectations of another big spending window.

Since the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia acquired 80 per cent of the club in October last year, around £210million has been spent on players, a figure sporting director Dan Ashworth admitted was “unstainable”.

“Me, sitting here now, I am not expecting too much business, whether incoming or outgoing, but it is football and it is January so it’s unpredictable,” Howe said.

“We can’t predict what is going to happen with our own squad at times, in terms of fitness and availability, so we do need to be ready to act if we need to.

“The need for that will be minimised by keeping a fit and healthy squad of players.”

He continued: “As a manager, I am always looking to improve the team. I will never sit here and be content - I don’t think that is the right way to manage. My way to take the team to new heights is to improve through the training of the players we have. If we can’t get to a certain level then we need to find that in the transfer market. And, of course, you have to work within the guidelines of the club.

“In my position, you are keen to sign the best players you can - but those players come at a premium, as you know. Botman wasn’t cheap, Alex wasn’t cheap. Those are players who can influence the starting XI. Do we have the finances for that? I do not know. That might impact our options on that one.”