Transfer window open

Howe is keen to bolster his squad before the end of the month, while Newcastle are working on an ambitious deal to sign Mark Gueye from Crystal Palace.

Newcastle have yet to make an offer for the defender, which Palace feel is acceptable and talks are ongoing.

With less than a month to go before the transfer window closes, Newcastle are now working hard and Howe admits that conditions are improving throughout the window.

However, he stressed that there are not many players who can make Newcastle better.

“The transfer window is open now,” Howe said after Friday night’s 4-0 friendly win over Girona.

“We want to add at least one player to this squad. But it has to be about quality, not quantity.

“If you’re going to add players, they have to push the team to the next level. That’s what we’re looking for – but it’s hard to find.

“There’s not many players who can make us better.”

Newcastle are also expected to offload a number of players before the end of the month, with experienced defender Kieran Trippier a likely replacement.