Eddie Howe's summer balancing act on transfers can only start after survival

Eddie Howe suggested only on Friday that he must try to retain some of Newcastle United's squad identity next season with the Magpies looking to get the balance right next season.

By the same token, United are also in for a busy summer and there will inevitably be trading at St James' Park. Toon fans woke up to headlines linking Allan Saint-Maximin with a £50million exit while there was also a link in another national newspaper with Robert Sanchez of Brighton & Hove Albion at £20million.

In fairness, Howe is currently trying to focus calmly on Premier League survival and knows that there will be a better time and place to talk about incoming and outgoing business. He knows he has to work with the squad he has and Howe and his backroom staff have turned around a difficult situation into a positive one with nine games to go.

In many ways, until Newcastle know for sure they are a Premier League club, which seems likely but not absolutely certain yet, they can't make any concrete plans. Even if some deals are roughly already in place.

When asked on Friday about anybody who did want to leave for pastures new, Howe replied: "I would never stand in any player's way if they felt their future was elsewhere. I don't think it's helpful, for you, them or the club. "You need players that are absolutely committed to playing for the club.

"Now, in saying that it has to be on the right terms for the club depending on the individual player position. "But I don't see that from the group."

Links with Brighton players are inevitable given the eventual arrival of technical director Dan Ashworth who is counting the days down until the release from his Seagulls contract. Yves Bissouma is another star that Newcastle have been keeping an eye on.