Eddie Howe has been assured that he will get at least two more new signings before deadline day at Newcastle United after high level talks. The head coach, who will face the media on Friday morning ahead of the opening game against Nottingham Forest, admits that Newcastle have faced complications during the second half of the window due to inflation and agent demands. And their latest pursuit of a player in James Maddison has been the ideal example of that.
As things stand sources close to the deal have indicated to Chronicle Live that the two clubs were "apart" on their valuation of the once capped England international. Yet Howe knows that can change in a heartbeat and the last throes of the window could still see a number of changes at St James' Park.
The arrival of an attacking midfielder like Maddison and a forward to bolster competition alongside Callum Wilson and Chris Wood will also have an impact on outgoing business. Howe has handed both Matt Ritchie and Elliot Anderson key roles in pre-season so far due to the lack of incoming since the Sven Botman deal was done over a month ago.
