Howe dismisses transfer speculation over Newcastle players

The transfer window is coming to a close, and Newcastle United have no plans to sell their top players despite reports to the contrary, manager Eddie Howe said on Friday.

Full back Kieran Trippier has been strongly linked with Bayern Munich.

"A few things to say on Kieran's situation. We hope he will stay and we're very confident he will be part of our long-term future," Howe told a press conference ahead of his side's FA Cup fourth-round game at Fulham.

"But I have to make it clear he has never asked to leave or even questioned his future here. We've had conversations in the last week and it's always been about Newcastle.

"His situation is finished. I've been in football long enough to never say 100 per cent. I don't want to look stupid but he's 100 per cent committed."

Howe recently spoke of Newcastle being held back in the transfer market by Financial Fair Play rules, and there has also been speculation around the futures of Miguel Almiron and Callum Wilson.

The manager said he is desperate to keep Almiron and that Wilson was 100 per cent committed to the club, but the same could not be said for Joelinton.

The Brazilian midfielder suffered a serious thigh injury in the last round of the FA Cup against Sunderland which will keep him out of action until May, and the player and club have yet to agree a contract extension.

"Massive blow for us," Howe said. "We knew when he did the injury it immediately didn't look good. We didn't know he'd be out as long.

"It's a possibility (that he's played his last game for the club) but I hope that's not the case… I want him to stay. Before a player signs a contract he has to be happy with everything... and so it's a possibility he'll be sold in the summer."

Newcastle face Fulham on Saturday,