Newcastle: Howe plays down talk of Arsenal attempting to unsettle Tonali and blames PSR for lack of January arrivals

Eddie Howe has outlined Newcastle’s determination to keep hold of Sandro Tonali and claimed the lack of arrivals in January was due to PSR restrictions.

Howe spent around £220million in the summer on the likes of 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 on numbers in defence due to a raft of injuries and asked if it was a risk not to add to the squad, Howe said: “Yes, but – I will have to choose my words carefully here – we were left with no other option really. Every decision we make has a long-term implication. There was no guarantee that signing someone, with the funds we had available, that it would help us in the short-term anyway.

“It is what it is, and we have been used to working in these conditions now 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 really 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 keen on Tonali, although a deal of that magnitude never seemed a goer due to the limited time available.

Newcastle insisted they had had no contact from the Gunners and Howe said the Italy international was enjoying life on Tyneside.

He added: ”Certainly there was no intention from our side to lose Sandro at all. I think he’s such an integral player to what we are doing. I think he is very happy here. He loves playing for Newcastle and loves representing the city.”

Asked if it was simply the first move from Arsenal to try to unsettle the player ahead of a renewed bid in the summer, Howe said: “I don’t think so but lots of things happen without my knowledge. As far as I am aware we have got a player who is an outstanding footballer and an outstanding person. He is very happy here, he has got a great relationship with me and his team-mates.

“He seems really happy within himself, so that would surprise me, but he and our best players are always going to be attracting glances from other clubs, that’s just the reality of football.

“We want to keep the group together, we want to keep being progressive and, of course, Sandro plays a part in that, trying to hit his best levels and play as well as he can to help the team.

“So all encompassed, I don’t see an issue but I am not in control of everything.”

Newcastle look to overturn deficit at Manchester City

Newcastle, who were beaten 4-1 at Liverpool on Saturday to slip into the bottom half of the Premier League table, go to Manchester City tomorrow night looking to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup.

It looks a tall order for the current trophy holders but Howe insists they will travel to the Etihad with optimism.

“We very much have to have that belief,” he said. “The second goal in the first game was obviously a big disappointment for us, coming so late, but we still believe and we have to believe.

“I believe we have got the players that can go to any stadium in the world and perform and score goals. I think collectively the spirit within the group is there.

“It’s going to be an almighty challenge – there is no bigger challenge than Manchester City away. I think we say that every time we play them but we believe in ourselves and are going to give it a good go.”

The visitors will again be without captain Bruno Guimaraes while Lewis Miley is also unlikely to be involved, although there was better news on defender Sven Botman.

Howe said: ”Bruno is doing well. I don’t think he will make this game but there is a chance for the weekend. Sven Botman is okay. Lewis I’m not sure will make this game either. “