Eddie Howe admits Newcastle may have to sell players this week to protect the future of the club with the Magpies at their FFP limit… and denies he will have a transfer war chest to spend in the summer because ‘those days are gone’

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe says he will understand if transfer decisions are taken this month to safeguard the future of the club, but he does not expect a ‘war chest’ to be waiting for him in the summer.

The Magpies are at their financial limit of profit and sustainability rules and the manager admits it will be ‘impossible’ to bring a player in without one leaving this week.

Talks over Miguel Almiron being sold to Saudi club Al-Shebab continue and there has been interest in striker Callum Wilson and defender Jamaal Lascelles.

Howe would like to bring in a midfielder but says his preference is to keep his current squad together. The final say, however, is unlikely to be his when it comes to PSR considerations.

‘Keeping the squad intact, as the manager, and trying to produce a team to win games would be the one (preference) for me,’ he said.

Miguel Almiron could still be sold to Saudi club Al-Shebab, while players must leave if any are to join

Callum Wilson (pictured) and Jamaal Lascelles are also being monitored by sides with days remaining of the window

‘But we are guardians of the club’s future and we want to make the right decisions for the club’s future and for FFP. We don’t want to breach FFP. That is where I will support the decisions that are made for the long term and that will benefit the club.’

Does prudence this month mean a transfer war chest awaits in the summer?

‘Certainly not,’ he said. ‘I don’t think there is such a thing now with FFP. The ‘war chest’ days are gone. Every club is doing what we’re doing. The market is different this year. It’s a totally different January to 12 months ago. The summer may well be the same, in the sense that it’s a different way of doing transfer business now for football clubs.’

Almiron missed Saturday’s FA Cup win at Fulham…