Eddie Howe has insisted that Newcastle United are keen to keep hold of Kieran Trippier, Miguel Almiron and Callum Wilson amid reported interest in the trio during the January transfer window.
The Magpies are having to work within the constraints of Financial Fair Play (FFP) which is restricting the club's activity in the transfer market.
Newcastle CEO Darren Eales admitted earlier this month that the club may be required to sell some of their star players if they wish to balance their books and avoid breaking financial rules.
A host of Howe's senior stars have since been linked with a possible exit from St James' Park including first-choice right-back Trippier, who has attracted interest from Bayern Munich.
The Bundesliga giants are understood to have seen two offers, the latest a bid in the region of €15m (£12.8m) turned down by Newcastle, who refuse to part ways with the 33-year-old midway through the season.
Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund has since confirmed that their pursuit of Trippier is over, and Howe has addressed the defender's future at Newcastle.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday ahead of Newcastle's FA Cup clash with Fulham on Saturday, Howe said: "A few things to say on Kieran's situation. We hope he will stay and we're very confident he will be part of our long-term future.
"But I have to make it clear he has never asked to leave or even questioned his future here. We've had conversations in the last week and it's always been about Newcastle. It's important I make that clear. His commitment to Newcastle shouldn't be questioned."
"I don't think so (been a difficult week)," Howe added. "It's a huge compliment that a club like Bayern are interested. For us, to be sat here now, I want to keep all our best players. To contemplate losing a player at this stage would be very difficult for me personally, especially our best players.
"His situation is finished. I've been in football long enough to never say 100%. I don't want to look stupid but he's 100% committed."
Trippier joined Newcastle from Atletico Madrid in January 2022 and was a signing that signalled a significant change at the club shortly after the arrival of their Saudi-backed owners.
The Englishman has made a total of 81 appearances for the Magpies in all competitions, registering 18 assists, and was integrual to helping the club secure a top-four finish in the Premier League last season and qualify for the Champions League.
Howe is also adamant that he wishes to keep hold of Paraguayan winger Almiron, who has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.
A recent report claimed that Newcastle have agreed to sell the 29-year-old to Saudi Pro League outfit Al Shabab, with the winger said to be open to a transfer to the Middle East.
Addressing those rumours, Howe said: "Very similar. A lot of noise and speculation around his future. I'm desperate to keep him. He's been an integral part since I came to the club.
"His contribution has been immense, whether that's goalscoring, work-rate, discipline, commitment and professionalism.
"There has been a lot of noise and it comes from somewhere but hopefully we can keep him and the window shuts quickly."
Newcastle have been tipped to step up their interest in Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White should they part ways with Almiron, who has spent the last five years at St James' Park and has contributed with 30 goals and 11 assists in 195 appearances, including 11 strikes in 34 Premier League during a standout campaign in 2023-24.
Another first-team player that has been linked with an exit from Newcastle is Wilson, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, AC Milan and Atletico Madrid all said to be interested in the striker.
Discussing the rumours about Wilson, Howe said: "It's been a strange one. A lot of speculation and a lot of it unfounded. From our side, he's a huge part of what we do.
"We're desperate to get our two strikers fit again. He's nearing a return and looks good. He's getting there. There's no part of me that wants to lose him.
"In every conversation, he's 100% committed. No part of him is looking elsewhere. He's got big ambitions and we want to keep him here. But some things are out of our control. The club is acting with the long-term interests of the club and they have to. Let's see what happens."
Asked in general about the prospect of losing players this month, Howe added: "It's been a difficult window so far. It's the first time since I've been manager that we've been linked with players leaving. That creates an unsettling dynamic.
"A lot of those rumours have been just that. Rumours. I'm trying to prepare our team for the next game."
Newcastle, who have already allowed Javi Manquillo to join Celta Vigo on a permanent deal, currently sit 10th in the Premier League table, 11 points adrift of the top four. body check tags ::
