The Magpies could do with some back-up in January but context has been rolled out by Eddie Howe on recruitment

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has sent out a January transfer warning – insisting a big money signing might reduce his summer spending pot.

Howe had a £200m spending spree in the summer with only Malick Thiaw and Nick Woltemade genuinely hitting the heights this term. Jacob Ramsey, Aaron Ramsdale and Anthony Elanga have not made a big impact yet. When asked if January was the chance to bring in a big-name signing, he played down the suggestion.

He said: “‘Marquee signing’, I don’t know quite what that means – I suppose you’re taking big financial outlay? I don’t think that’s the desire in this month for various reasons, because I don’t think it’s a great month necessarily to make that kind of signing.

“Any signing that we do make in this window will restrict our ability to do business in the summer, so I think we’ve got to be really careful that we make the right decisions for the here and now and for the future.”

Newcastle endured a spate of barren windows but have now at least been able to freshen up their squad after being locked in by PSR restrictions.

Howe added: “We have spent a lot of time talking about PSR, it’s nice actually to have gone a few weeks without taking about PSR, but I suppose we’re back at that time of year again.”

He then went on later: “We’re still in that position where PSR will influence every decision that we make, so that’s where we have to be really smart.

“I don’t think that’s necessary the wish in this month, but I think our injury situation to a degree with impact what we do and don’t do.”

With William Osula linked with a move to Germany, after the striker was linked with Bayer Leverkusen and Stuttgart, Howe was asked directly if he felt the Danish Under-21 star would leave.

Speaking about the ankle injury victim Osula, Howe said: “No, there’s no expectation of me thinking Will will leave. I think the only way that we would consider that would be for his development and growth in terms of benefiting his career to play, but always with a view to him coming back to us.

“He’s injured at the moment. I think the main priority for Will is just to focus on getting fit. I don’t think he’s close, but I think he’s improving. Hopefully, we’ll see him towards the end of the month.

“Big for us to get him back fit. Big for him because I know he’s been hugely frustrated by this injury, when he had a lot of opportunities to play

“Prior to his injury, I thought he was in a really good place and doing well. As with every player, we make a decision when we need to.”

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