Eddie Howe's logical decision when it comes to trying to keep valued squad Lloyd Kelly may prove to be an unpopular call with the St James' Park faithful such is the new, strange era of PSR dependency we're living in.

Many look at the centre-back, signed in the summer for free, and think if Juventus, Fenerbahce or any other club want to acquire his services, Newcastle should be open to it. After all, the Magpies will be making much-needed profit on Kelly provided he departs for a nominal fee.

Earlier this month, as speculation ranged from £6m to £11m as to how much those aforementioned interested parties were willing to pay for Kelly's services, many supporters were calling for the Magpies to cash in and make a quick buck. With Newcastle currently unable to spend this month, you can understand to urgency to raise funds.

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However, Eddie Howe insists no team has yet made an offer attractive enough to make Newcastle consider an exit - and suggests it will take a hefty bid to make him change his mind when it comes to losing a trusted member of his squad.

“Lloyd's an integral part of what we're doing from my perspective. His challenge is to try and work his way into the team," Howe told reporters. “He's only just arrived, so I think he's got a lot to achieve here.

Taking the PSR lenses off for a second, how much would Kelly be worth in a normal market? He's 26, he's played 63 Premier League games, Howe fought tooth and nail to sign him in the summer and Bournemouth were wanting over £20m for his services before he ran his contract down.

Not to mention his departure would leave Newcastle understaffed in another area of the pitch. £11m? Try double that. He may not be a first-team regular but Newcastle should not go selling themselves short just because they need to offload players before they can buy.

There's still a chance that Kelly does indeed depart this month but Howe continues to insist he isn't confident of any outgoings being replaced before the summer.

Is it worth cashing in on Kelly and being a man short until the end of the season - with a top four and cup run on the cards? Or is Howe right to see a solid squad option as more valuable than a cheap, convenient exit?

There will be plenty still convinced any profit is good profit for a player who can't currently get in the starting XI - but Howe is right to want top dollar before sanctioning a January exit.

Now all that remains to be seen is whether any club can stump up the funds to persuade Newcastle into selling the summer signing.