Newcastle United may be looking at rivals Aston Villa in envy in the final days and hours of the January transfer window. The two sides are fighting it out to play Champions League football again next season, but while Villa are able to strengthen, Newcastle have again been hampered by the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability rules (PSRs).

Unai Emery’s men have struck a loan deal for Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and are closing in on Paris Saint Germain’s Marco Asensio.

Villa are also said to be on the lookout for defensive reinforcements on deadline day. Although the true numbers over the loan deal for Rashford and Asensio haven't been released, it’s said that Villa are paying around 75 percent of Rashford’s wages, which amounts to around £300,000 per week, with a £40 million option to buy also inserted into the deal.

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The transfer moves may leave Newcastle fans wondering how the team can complete them without the PSR worries that have blighted their team. Eddie Howe has been open on how the rules have restricted Newcastle’s transfer activity this month.

“We knew this window, barring something huge happening that we didn’t expect, would be a window that we didn’t recruit in,” said Howe on Friday. “I said that right from the outset, and despite being linked with numerous players, that’s still the case.

“We’re not actively looking to bring players in, but hopefully the squad is in a decent place. If we can get Callum (Wilson) and Harvey (Barnes) back, fit and firing within a few weeks, then I think the squad will look good.”

In reality, Villa have been given more wriggle room within the rooms due to the sales from the club in this window.

Jhon Duran completed a transfer to Saudi side Al-Nassr for a fee of around £65 million last week. Villa also completed the sale of Emiliano Buendia to Bayer Leverkusen for £17 million.

The club playing in the Champions League, and making it to the knockout stages also brings in more money, and therefore allowing them to spend. That, along with other financial factors that come into play has allowed Villa some more spending power in the final days.

Newcastle have completed the sale of Miguel Almiron for £8 million in the current window. They are also closing in on the £20 million sale of Lloyd Kelly to Juventus. While that will help in the upcoming window, it’s less than a third of the sum that Villa have brought in during the window.

The Magpies are struggling for sellable assets that will make them significant sums of money without significantly weakening their team. It’s a harsh reality that Newcastle currently find themselves in.