Eddie Howe's message on January transfer window & the complicated Andrey Santos situation at Chelsea
Newcastle United have been linked with Andrey Santos in the early days of the window but a deal could prove to be tricky
Eddie Howe has stated that Newcastle United's transfer plans remain unclear at the start of the January window.
The United head coach has stated that he will wait for injury problems for the likes of Kieran Trippier, Callum Wilson, Joe Willock and Harvey Barnes to clear up before making crucial decisions. The Magpies did not have any deals ready to go on January 1 and the first few days of the window have passed by in a low key manner.
Howe said: "I'm not sure at this moment in time. We are still hoping that those lads aren't serious.
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"Our first priority is to get those players fit as quickly as possible. Then we'll see.
"The only way to get out of the run of form we are in is to win. You are only going to do that if you are together and committed. That commitment was there and as long as we see that we know we'll be fine."
It is understood that Newcastle have been alerted to the prospect of signing Andrey Santos with his loan deal with Nottingham Forest set to be scrapped. ChronicleLive has learned that Santos' agency would be receptive to a move to Newcastle for the star.
However, to sign the Brazilian on loan, Newcastle would have to push through Lewis Hall's transfer early because Premier League loan rules don't allow clubs to have two players on temporary deals from the same club.
Chelsea snapped up Santos from Vasco da Gama last year but he has not made an appearance for the Blues. He cost them £11million and a decision on his longer-term future is yet to be made.