Chelsea make Garnacho, Gittens enquiries

The merry dance that is the effect of PSR on Newcastle United’s transfer activity continues unabated throughout January, much to nobody’s delight.

Those three letters (profit, sustainability, rules) which we all have all had to accept are essential to modern football, yet that none of us truly understand because we do not have access to all of the financials involved.

In the summer, Newcastle were able to make a strong effort to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, who would have cost upwards of £50million. But now the focus is on potential exits, with Miguel Almiron the most likely to depart, and some supporters are questioning why that is the case. Howe said this morning:

“It’s not as clear as everyone will make out. There’s not a pot of money there just waiting to be spent.”

Even he accepted his answer was about as comprehensible as Newcastle’s turnaround in form, which has seen them jump from 12th to fourth inside a month and able to set a new club record for consecutive victories in all competitions (10) against Bournemouth tomorrow.

Almiron, as things stand, is set to be on the bench for that lunchtime kick-off, despite Atlanta United being in negotiations to re-sign the winger. While not denying Almiron could still leave this month, Howe insisted nobody inside Newcastle wants to lose players this month, but the PSR reality is that they are best placed doing so.

Lloyd Kelly is less likely to depart, despite his lack of minutes, and Howe showed his irritation at news of a bid being rejected this week leaking out, describing the “rumours” as being “club-driven from Fenerbahce, not from the player”.

The speculation will not end there though, with more than a fortnight still to go in this window.

And unfortunately, I’ll be writing and you’ll be reading those three annoying letters — PSR — time and again during that time…