Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said on Friday the club will remain active in the January transfer window as Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes reportedly prepares to join Lyon.
Three months after being acquired from the Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund, the Magpies are ramping up their financial strength to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
While Newcastle have won only two games throughout the season and are in the relegation zone, they are only one point away from safety.
Howe’s squad has been strengthened earlier this month by the arrival of English international Kieran Trippier and striker Chris Wood’s rivals Burnley.
Guimaraes went through next door at St James’ Park with a deal worth up to £40 million ($54 million) agreed among clubs for the 24-year-old, who is currently on international duty with Brazil.
During a news conference from a training camp in Jeddah, Howe said, “We are hopeful that we are getting closer to completing the transfer. You can guess (who it is) if you want, but someone from my side.” Won’t be confirmed.”
And the former Bournemouth boss is hoping to do more business before Monday’s transfer deadline.
“From my point of view I don’t think that will be the end of our interest in bringing in new players,” he said.
“Does it turn into reality, who knows? Things change very late in this window. As everyone knows, it can be quite unpredictable in the last few days.
“We’re open. We’re working hard to improve the team. Our main aim is to give the team the best chance to stay in the league.”
The acquisition, backed by Saudi’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), was sharply criticized by human rights groups.
Allegations of sportswashing by the Gulf Kingdom have re-emerged this week as the Newcastle squad traveled to Saudi Arabia.
Howe said he had met with the club’s president and PIF governor Yasser al-Rumayyan.
“I’ve spoken to the chairman, we’ve met him and it was a wonderful experience to hear his thoughts on the club and his vision and what the future looks like,” Howe said.
“The players enjoyed it, I enjoyed it and a lot of people around the PIF team have been here too, so it was a great experience to bring everyone together.”
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