Newcastle ‘make Joelinton exit plan’ as ‘offer lined up’
Newcastle United have no plans to lose Joelinton in the January transfer window despite growing interest from a number of Saudi Pro League clubs.
That is according to former Man United and Sunderland chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 29-year-old remains an important part of Eddie Howe‘s plans.
Joelinton returned to the starting XI for the first time in four games as Newcastle beat Burnley 3-1 last time out, and scored the opening goal after just two minutes.
However, his inconsistent playing time of late had raised question marks about his future, with a potential big-money move to the Middle East on the cards.
This comes after Football Insider revealed Newcastle replace Joelinton in the January transfer window amid links with moves for the likes of Elliot Anderson.
Newcastle make Joelinton transfer plan
Football Insider revealed in November that Newcastle are unlikely to sell Joelinton despite initial concerns about his performances so far this season.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that the Magpies have no plans to sell the Brazil international in the near future.
“Joelinton has been in and out of the team recently,” he told Football Insider.
“But their priority at the moment is about getting him back to his best and the form that he was in before, and we saw that against Burnley.
“He has been an instrumental part of the team with his physicality and the fact he can pop up with a goal from midfield every now and then.
“If he gets injured or leaves the club, they haven’t got anybody who fits that profile.
“There aren’t many players of that mould out there, so it’s not like they could let him go and then quickly go and bring somebody else in to replace him.
“The talk is that Saudi clubs might be in for him, and we know the money on offer will be big so those offers may well be being lined up.
“But just from a Newcastle perspective, he’s still a big part of their plans, and I think it’s highly unlikely they would let him go in the middle of the season.”
Lewis Miley exit news emerges at Newcastle
Alongside the speculation about Joelinton’s future, there had also been questions asked about whether Lewis Miley’s long-term future would be at Newcastle.
However, Brown told Football Insider on 23 December that Newcastle want to keep Miley and have no plans to let him leave the club any time soon.
Newcastle feared they may be forced to sell Miley during the summer due to financial concerns, adding to speculation he could be allowed to leave the club.
However, they now have no plans to let him go, with his newly-discovered versatility and consistency in Howe’s side establishing him as a valuable asset.
Brown told Football Insider on 1 December that Newcastle have no plans to sell Miley and have gone back on their position, having previously been prepared to listen to offers.
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