After a two-week break and a flurry of transfer rumours over the past fortnight, Eddie Howe has been speaking to the press this morning about reports linking Kieran Trippier, Callum Wilson, Miguel Almiron and Jamaal Lascelles with moves away.
Starting with Trippier, he is “very confident” the 33-year-old will remain a part of our long-term plans and insists he has “never asked to leave”, despite claims of a verbal agreement with Bayern Munich last week. It seems pretty clear he’ll say, based on Howe’s comments this morning.
On Wilson, he too is “100% committed” and Howe is eager to retain two strikers at the club, but the boss does state that “some things are out of my control”, hinting at a potential exit.
Howe is “desperate” to keep Almiron and is wary of the “noise and speculation” linking him with a move to Saudi Arabia. He hopes the window “shuts quickly” so he too can be retained, while Lascelles is a “big part of what we do” and another player the boss is keen to keep, if possible.
Here’s what he had to say on all of the above:
Howe on Trippier – “We obviously hope he’ll stay and are very confident he will and be part of our long-term future. I have to make it clear he’s never asked to leave, he’s been fully committed. We’ve had a lot of conversations and it’s always been about Newcastle this week.
“His situation is finished as far as everyone is concerned, Kieran and myself. I’ve been in football long enough to not say 100 per cent because I don’t want to look stupid, but Kieran is committed and we want to keep him.”
Howe on Wilson – “Once again, he is 100% committed to NUFC. We want two fit strikers and want to keep him. But obviously some things are out of my control…let’s see what happens.”
Howe on Almiron – “A lot of noise and speculation about his future. As his manager, I’m desperate to keep him. His contribution has been immense throughout my time. There has been a lot of noise, that comes from somewhere but hopefully we can keep him and the window shuts quickly.”
Howe on Lascelles – “He’s a big part of what we do. Want him to stay”
The last line on Wilson seemed potentially telling. The cynic in me wonders if Howe wants to keep Wilson but the club are seeing the benefit of a late sale; and the same may apply to Almiron if he is being offered aroun.
