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Newcastle United are moving forward with their plans for the January transfer window and sporting director Paul Mitchell and manager Eddie Howe are determined to put their summer problems behind them.
Telegraph Sport Multiple Newcastle sources have said in recent days that Mitchell and Howe have expressed a desire to make their relationship work for the good of the club.
They acknowledged the summer transfer window had reached a disappointing conclusion as they failed to sign centre-back Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace or winger Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest, but expressed a desire to look to the future rather than the past.
“Both men now know where they stand with each other,” a well-placed source said. “There have been no arguments in recent weeks.
“They have gotten to know each other and understand how they both want to work. The problems they encountered are now behind them.”
Mitchell admitted in an interview last week that there had been a “healthy conflict” between the two most important figures in football over the summer, sparking rumours of a potential civil war at St James’s Park.
Howe was initially unsettled by the board changes this summer and sought clarity over what power he had to influence recruitment, insisting he needed to feel “happy and supported” if he wanted to stay on Tyneside.
Reports at the weekend claimed Mitchell was considering quitting as sporting director after just two months due to friction with Howe, but this has since been vigorously denied.
Indeed, while there were teething problems according to insiders, they highlighted the fact Howe publicly called for unity before the international break and was keen not to apportion blame for a disappointing window.
Instead, with money to spend in January, Mitchell’s ability as a sporting director, capable of getting deals done, will be judged on his performances in the winter transfer window.
Club remains interested in Guehi
He will work with Howe to identify potential targets, but it will be up to the sporting director to lead the negotiations, as he did this summer.
A fresh push to sign Guehi is expected, although that will depend on Palace’s willingness to reduce an asking price which had risen to more than £70m in August.
Guehi will have just 18 months left on his contract in January unless the south London club can persuade him to sign an extension before the New Year.
Newcastle return to Premier League action with a trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday and are fifth after making an unbeaten start to the season.
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