Paul Mitchell 'team' truth as Newcastle target 'end result' after Marc Guehi transfer twist

Eddie Howe is building a 'really good relationship' with sporting director Paul Mitchell as Newcastle United attempt to get the 'right end result' before the window shuts.

Newcastle have until 11pm on Friday to finally land the difference maker that Howe wants and club legend Alan Shearer said it would be 'really embarrassing' for Mitchell and CEO Darren Eales if the Magpies failed to do so. Newcastle have attempted to strike a deal for Marc Guehi, who is the club's top target, but Crystal Palace sent a timely reminder that the England international is very much an Eagles player by cup-tying their captain against Norwich City on Tuesday night. In truth, Oliver Glasner had few alternatives at the back and that was even before defender Chadi Riad went off with a knee issue, which could complicate matters further for Newcastle.

Howe, for his part, has spoken about the importance of making 'wise decisions and not leaving ourselves in a vulnerable position again further down the line'. That was, of course, a reference to Newcastle's PSR issues earlier this summer and Mitchell was appointed just a few days after the black-and-whites raised the necessary funds to avoid a breach and a possible 10-point deduction.

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Mitchell and Howe quickly had to get to know each other and the Newcastle boss previously admitted there was no point in saying he was happy to stay at the club 'if the dynamic was not right'. Those boundaries have since been established - as they were with new performance director James Bunce - and Mitchell, clearly, has a crucial role to play if Newcastle's recruitment team are to finally strengthen the squad in the last days of the window.

"Absolutely," Howe told reporters. "I'm not doing the deals. My role stops on the choosing of the players and deciding which avenue to go.

"But Paul doesn't work in isolation. He works with a team of people and we're all one team working for the same outcome.

"I'm building a really good relationship with Paul. I'm really happy how things have been progressing so it's not on any one person. We're trying to get the right end result for the club."