Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe will have the full backing of the powers that be to hold on to star names in January - if the big guns do come calling in early 2025.

It was just under 12 months ago that CEO Darren Eales stated that "every player has a price in the world of PSR", but given the restraints Newcastle finds themselves under in terms of incoming business, the club's backroom team feels that United is better off with the players they have at their disposal rather than selling to buy. Keeping star names will also give Newcastle the best opportunity to qualify for the Champions League again this season with United just five points off the top four going into the festive period.

With Arsenal keen on Alexander Isak and panic-stricken Manchester City eyeing up Bruno Guimaraes, bids from Premier League rivals in January would hardly come as a shock. However, Howe was remarkably composed and relaxed when talking about holding on to Isak on Saturday night at Portman Road.

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So much so he pretty much laughed in the face of a question when asked if he thought "world class" Isak was set for a move. Later he told Match of the Day: "The message is that we probably, at this moment in time, need to concentrate on the players that we do have and get the best out of them, rather than looking externally."

The Magpies could still trade with squad players such as Martin Dubravka, Kieran Trippier and Matt Targett all expected to attract enquiries. But Howe was adamant that selling a player like Isak makes no sense especially with the cost of a replacement certain to be astronomical in a window when no other Premier League clubs have any intention of working with Newcastle - which alluded to last week.

On Isak, Howe added: "He is a world-class talent. The way he took his goals today, he’s got that coolness in front of goal, that composure that very few players have.

"Then when you add his other qualities into the mix, how quick he is and how technically gifted he is, then for me, he’s got it all.

"We absolutely want to keep Alex at the football club. There’s no part of me, or anybody at Newcastle, that wants to let Alex go. He’s very much part of our long-term plans. Personally, I don’t see that being an issue."