EDDIE Howe has vowed to "ignore the noise and rumour" that comes with the January transfer window and has backed his in-form Newcastle United players to do the same.

Alexander Isak, who has scored 11 goals in his last 11 league games, continues to be touted as a target for Arsenal, while Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon have been linked with Manchester City and Liverpool respectively.

Pundit Paul Merson this week urged Arsenal to "break the bank" for Isak but Howe remains relaxed amid fevered speculation.

He said: “I think it comes with the territory now, to be honest. Maybe in my very early days, that would have maybe left more of an impression, but I think the position that I'm in now, you sort of ignore it and it's irrelevant.

“There'll be so much talk and noise and rumour. You can't control it all - you can't even begin to try, so you just have to ignore it and just focus on the facts.

"Our players are loved by us, wanted by us and we’ve got massive games to come and we need them to perform. Their focus can only be on delivering in the here and now and we can only control what we can control.

"I don’t see that being an issue for us, especially in this window. We have so many big games to come, I am and the players are focused on having a great season and that’s all that concerns us."

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The Magpies have invested in the region of £450million in new signings since their Saudi-backed owners took charge in October 2021, but have largely kept their powder dry in recent windows with profitability and sustainability rules limiting their involvement.

They have been credited with an interest in Manchester City’s £100million England midfielder Jack Grealish, although that looks fanciful with Howe admitting he is not currently in a position to sign that stature of player.

Asked if he had the ability to consider an acquisition of that type, he replied: “Financially? I don’t believe currently we have.”

Meanwhile, Howe insists he wants to keep Miguel Almiron on Tyneside this month amid fresh transfer interest from Charlotte FC

The MLS side's assistant manager Christian Fuchs this week said Almiron would be a "great addition".

But Howe said: "His future is very much here at the moment. Miggy has trained brilliantly this season.

"He’s ready to play and he’s an important player. We are not blessed with a number of wide players and anyone that we have here is vitally important.

"Miggy has always proved to us how effective he is when he does play and I’d say the same to any player until the day that they leave their future is here and they need to focus on the next game."