Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali was a reported target for Arsenal on deadline day.
Eddie Howe described that of Newcastle determination to keep Sandro Tonali and claimed that the lack of arrivals in January was due to PSR restrictions.
Howe spent around £220m this summer on Nick Woltemade, Yoane Wissa, Jacob Ramsey and Anthony Elanga, meaning there was little wiggle room for further additions before the window closed yesterday.
Newcastle are short-handed in defense due to a series of injuries and asked if it was a risk not to add to the squad, Howe replied: “Yes, but – I will have to choose my words carefully here – we don’t really have any other option. Every decision we make has a long-term implication. There was no guarantee that signing someone, with the funds we had, that it would help us in the short term anyway.
“It is like this, and we have been used to working in these conditions for a while. We have only been active in one transfer window in the last four or five, so I think we are under financial restrictions, we have to be very smart and we have decided to wait until the summer.”
No intention from Newcastle to sell Tonali to Arsenal
There were suggestions early yesterday that Arsenal were interested in Tonali, although a deal of this magnitude never seemed acceptable due to the limited time available.
Newcastle have insisted they have had no contact with the Gunners and Howe said the Italy international is enjoying life on Tyneside.
He added: “We certainly had no intention of losing Sandro. I think he’s an integral part of what we do. I think he’s very happy here. He loves playing for Newcastle and loves representing the city.”
Asked if this was just Arsenal’s first move to try to destabilize the player ahead of a new offer this summer, Howe replied: “I don’t think so, but a lot of things happen without my knowledge. As far as I know, we have a player who is an exceptional footballer and an exceptional person. He is very happy here, he has a great relationship with me and his team-mates.
“He looks really happy within himself, so that would surprise me, but him and our best players are always going to attract looks from other clubs, that’s just the reality of football.
“We want to keep the group together, we want to continue to be progressive and, of course, Sandro plays a role in that, trying to reach his best level and play the best he can to help the team.
“So everything is understood, I don’t see a problem but I don’t control everything.”
Newcastle look to make up deficit at Manchester City
Newcastle, who were beaten 4-1 at Liverpool on Saturday to slip into the bottom half of the Premier League tablehead to Manchester City tomorrow night as they attempt to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit in the EFL Cup semi-final.
It seems a tall order for the current holders of the trophy, but Howe insists they will head to the Etihad with optimism.
“We absolutely must have this conviction,” he said. “The second goal in the first game was obviously a big disappointment for us, coming so late, but we still believe in it and we have to believe in it.
“I think we have the players who can go to any stadium in the world, play and score goals. I think collectively the spirit within the group is there.
“It’s going to be an almighty challenge – there’s no bigger challenge than Manchester City away from home. I think we say that every time we play them, but we believe in ourselves and will give it a go.”
The visitors will once again be without captain Bruno Guimaraes, while Lewis Miley is also unlikely to be involved, although there was better news regarding defender Sven Botman.
Howe said: “Bruno is doing well. I don’t think he’ll be in this game but there’s a chance for the weekend. Sven Botman is fine. Lewis, I’m not sure he’ll be in this game either.”
