Eddie Howe has dismissed suggestions that Newcastle United have already agreed to to a loan deal to sign Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips in January.
With Sandro Tonali suspended until the early weeks of next season, Newcastle’s recruitment team is determined to sign a new central midfielder when the transfer window reopens next month.
Phillips has long been touted as a major target, with the former Leeds midfielder having accepted he will have to leave the Etihad Stadium in January in order to increase his chances of securing more regular game time in the second half of the season. The England international needs to be playing to safeguard his place in Gareth Southgate’s squad for next summer’s European Championships.
Reports emerged this week suggesting Newcastle and City had already reached an agreement that would see Phillips join the Magpies for the second half of the campaign. It was suggested the deal was a straight loan, without any clauses relating to a potential permanent deal in the summer.
Newcastle are known to be extremely interested in Phillips, but Howe insists any talk of a deal already having been agreed upon for the 28-year-old is misguided.
Asked directly whether an agreement was already in place, the Newcastle head coach said, “That isn’t correct.”
Nevertheless, it would be a surprise if Newcastle did not make a move for Phillips, given their obvious need for a defensive-minded central midfielder next month.
The Magpies could also be in the market for another goalkeeper in January—again, potentially on a temporary basis—with Martin Dubrvaka having emerged as a major injury doubt ahead of this evening’s Champions League group decider with AC Milan.
Nick Pope will be sidelined until around Easter after dislocating his shoulder in the closing stages of the recent home win over Manchester United.
Dubravka has stepped in for him in the last two games, but the Slovakia international is now nursing an injury issue of his own after damaging his back in last week’s defeat at Everton.
While Howe can still call on the services of Loris Karius and Mark Gillespie, there is now an increased likelihood of Newcastle looking to bring in another goalkeeper next month.
David de Gea was heavily linked when the seriousness of Pope’s injury first became apparent, with the former Spain international still a free agent following his summer departure from Manchester United.
Aaron Ramsdale is another potential option, with the England international having been demoted to the role of second choice at Arsenal following Mikel Arteta’s summer move to sign David Raya from Brentford.
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