'Ready for anything': Eddie Howe isn't expecting much business to be done in January but did give a glimmer of hope

Eddie Howe used a brilliant phrase to sum up Newcastle United's January transfer window despite being just six days into it.

We've known for a while that incomings, certainly game-changing incomings, would be highly unlikely this month and that selling players is the more likely order of the month.

Indeed, things are already moving on the outgoing side of things with Saudi club Al-Shabab closing in on a move for Martin Dubravka despite him currently being Newacstle's number-one 'keeper in the absence of Nick Pope.

Reports have even suggested that Dubravka could depart this week after playing against Arsenal tomorrow night.

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Eddie Howe believes one move could change everything for Newcastle

It's this potential move that we believe inspired the phrase 'business logic is trumping football logic', meaning the club sees it as more important to make that sale now than it is to have Dubravka available for selection. In fairness, Newcastle did spend £20 million on an international-level goalkeeper in the summer, so we're not lacking in that department.

Howe emphasises once again (via The Chronicle) that he's now far removed from the transfer side of things but he's got a feeling it will all play out as expected in that it will be quiet, but then offered a ray of hope for fans.

"I'm not on the frontline so I am not speaking to agents and getting interactions. Others around the club will have a better understanding than me.

"I don't think it is taking too many turns from how I thought it would be. That is not to say anything is cut and dry. It might just take one big move somewhere to start a chain reaction. We are ready for anything. We are able to be flexible."

Newcastle have a couple of targets in their sights

Newcastle's insistence that transfer activity will be low this month hasn't stopped rumours from running wild.

A move for 20-year-old defender Abdukodir Khusanov is a story that just keeps on coming and at a potential £25 million, that could be one that comes to fruition.

Yesterday it was also reported that Newcastle would have to fork out £57 million for Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt and while that does seem like an unlikely move, we'd love, love that one to be true. It's also time for Newcastle to make their move to offer Jonathan David a contract ahead of a summer move on a free transfer. Fingers crossed those talks are still ongoing.

Time will tell.