Eddie Howe has acknowledged Newcastle United’s ties to AFC Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke have disappointed him this January transfer window.
Despite The Telegraph’s suggestion that the club had launched an inquiry for Solanke, Newcastle has not made a deal this month. The 26-year-old has 13 goals this season in 22 appearances for The Cherries, including two goals against The Magpies back in November.
Howe reportedly paid £19 million to sign Solanke from Liverpool to join Bournemouth in January 2019.
Howe was unwavering in his approach when questioned about Newcastle’s prospects of acquiring the player this month.
“Yes, a frustrating story for me because, yes I love Dominic Solanke, I signed him and I rate him very, very highly,” stated the manager of The Magpies. “But we have not made an enquiry for him and we don’t have the ability to sign a player of that level.”
The striker, if sold, would fetch a substantial sell-on fee for his former club, Liverpool, and Bournemouth have reportedly set an asking price of £60 million for him. The Reds supposedly acquired Solanke from Bournemouth five years ago, and as a result, have a 20% sell-on clause.
Howe, the Newcastle manager, was keen to downplay any significant transfer action as it stands, even though Solanke is not on his radar this month. “We’re not shutting the door on everything,” he continued. “However, as I sit here right now, we won’t be inviting anyone inside. However, that could alter as the window develops.”
This transfer window, Newcastle has been strongly connected to a move for Kalvin Phillips, a midfielder for Manchester City, with the intention of reaching an agreement on a half-season loan. But City’s demand for a sizable loan charge has stalled any progress.
This Saturday at St. James’ Park (5:30 p.m. kickoff), Newcastle hosts Manchester City in an attempt to snap a three-match losing streak in the Premier League.
With ten first-team players out of this weekend’s encounter due to injuries, Howe acknowledged that his squad would have preferred to have signed a new player by now. But the club hasn’t been able to spend yet due to Financial Fair Play regulations. Howe went on, “My responsibility is to exert as much effort as I can to advance the team.” “That applies to both coaching and boardroom settings.
Making the team as good as I can is my main responsibility. We want Newcastle United to be here for the next 500 years, so while I will continue to [urge for signings], I also have to respect and appreciate the football club’s health, which is everyone’s top concern. We have a long-term work and we want it in a pretty nice location.”
Howe stated, “I think there’s a lot of value,” in response to a question regarding possible loan deals this month. The question of whether it has value that we can use is very different.
“I doubt that many clubs would be willing to assist us at this time. We’re in a situation where I’m not sure we have many friends in the market because a loan transaction requires the club’s approval.”
