Newcastle manager Steve Bruce has insisted he has never considered selling striker Joelinton during the current transfer window.
There had been reports earlier in the window that Fenerbahce are interested in the striker, while it has also been suggested that the Magpies may be forced to sell Joelinton to fund a move for Napoli forward Akadiusz Milik.
Bruce however, is adamant that that will not happen, and has named the striker in his starting lineup for Sunday’s trip to Tottenham, where Joelinton scored his first Magpies goals way back last August in a 1-0 win.
Speaking ahead of that match in North London about the future of Joelinton, Bruce was quoted by The Daily Mirror as saying: “There was no temptation (to sell him). We saw the other day, the goal he scored, that gives you a clue to his ability.
“I see it on the training ground. The thing he has to come to terms with, is adapting to the Premier League, which some great players have struggled with.”
Indeed, it seems Bruce is confident the striker has much more to give for the Magpies, as he added: “Joe understands it more now. He still has improvement in him, he is young enough.
“I had no intention of letting him go anywhere. We have to work with him. That bit of confidence from scoring the other night will help.”
Those of a Newcastle persuasion will certainly hope that Bruce is right that there is more to come from Joelinton, given the amount they have paid for him, and the more than underwhelming return he has produced for them during his time at the club.
Indeed, with that in mind, it may be hard for Newcastle to sell Joelinton at this moment in time for anything like what they paid for him given his recent struggles.
Even so, you feel the player will at least appreciate the backing he is being given by his manager, with that support for his squad potentially attracting more players to the prospect of playing under Bruce while he is at Newcastle.