EDDIE HOWE has ruled out any chance of Newcastle United making a new signing ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League game at Brighton – and admitted the club are struggling to make headway with any of their current targets.

While the Magpies have brought in three new players this summer – Nick Pope, Matt Targett and Sven Botman – Howe would like to make a further two additions before the transfer window closes at the start of next month.

Newcastle’s recruitment team have inquired about the availability of Benfica forward Goncalo Ramos and are also still pressing Chelsea for a final decision over Armando Broja, who they would like to sign on loan.

The Magpies have also had two bids rejected for Leicester City’s James Maddison, the second of which is understood to have been worth more than £40m, and while Howe remains hopeful of new players arriving at some stage, he concedes a transfer breakthrough is not close.

“I’m sorry to keep giving you the same answers, but no,” said Howe, when asked whether there had been any progress with transfers this week.

“We’re no closer currently. I hope the next week or so, things might be different, but nothing yet.”

Howe has been fielding inquiries into a number of his players, with Javier Manquillo understood to have been earmarked for a possible move given he is currently the third-choice right-back and Matt Ritchie also the subject of ongoing interest from his former club, Bournemouth.

However, with his own transfer business currently at a standstill, the Newcastle boss feels he is not in a position to sanction any departures as things stand.

“I would be reluctant to let any go before we have any in currently,” Howe added.