Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has reportedly received a resounding vote of confidence from the club's hierarchy, who are ready to back him in fending off any January transfer window raids on his key players in early 2025.
Just shy of a year ago, CEO Darren Eales made it clear that "every player has a price in the world of PSR".
Yet with Newcastle's current limitations on bringing in new talent, the consensus among the management is that the squad is stronger if they keep their stars rather than cashing in to fund new signings, according to Chronicle Live.
The Magpies' ambition to secure another Champions League berth is palpable, sitting only five points adrift of the top four as the festive season approaches.
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With Arsenal eyeing Alexander Isak and a desperate Manchester City sizing up Bruno Guimaraes, January bids from domestic competitors wouldn't be surprising.
Nonetheless, Howe exuded calm when discussing Isak's future after their victory away to Ipswich, where the Swede bagged a hat-trick, even chuckling dismissively at the suggestion of the "world-class" player's departure.
He later emphasised to Match of the Day: "The message is that we probably, at this moment in time, need to concentrate on the players that we do have and get the best out of them, rather than looking externally."
While the Magpies are open to squad reshuffling with players like Martin Dubravka, Kieran Trippier, and Matt Targett on the radar of other clubs, Howe underlined the importance of retaining top talent amidst a market where rivals are hesitant to negotiate.
Commenting on Isak, Howe expressed his admiration: "He is a world-class talent. The way he took his goals today, he's got that coolness in front of goal, that composure that very few players have.
"Then when you add his other qualities into the mix, how quick he is and how technically gifted he is, then for me, he's got it all.
"We absolutely want to keep Alex at the football club. There's no part of me, or anybody at Newcastle, that wants to let Alex go. He's very much part of our long-term plans. Personally, I don't see that being an issue."
