Joelinton is set to miss the rest of the season at Newcastle United (Image: Getty)
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe will reportedly look to former club Bournemouth if Joelinton leaves St James' Park this summer. The Brazilian's contract stand-off may force the hand of sporting director Dan Ashworth as the Magpies look to stay on the right side of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, with Cherries star Philip Billing believed to be on a shortlist of replacements.
Joelinton suffered a thigh injury against Sunderland earlier this month which is set to require surgery and keep him out for the remainder of the season. It comes as a body blow for Howe, who is already battling a series of setbacks and counts the Brazilian among his most influential stars.
Newcastle have been unable to remedy their injury woes by bringing in new faces this January due to concerns over FFP, and the sale of a big player to balance the books has been tipped for the end of the season.
By that time, Joelinton will have just one year remaining on his Newcastle contract. Both parties are keen to agree an extension, but The Daily Mail claim that they are miles apart on numbers, and the Magpies have no intention of meeting his extortionate wage demands.
Philip Billing was signed by Eddie Howe while still in charge of Bournemouth (Image: Getty)
If no resolution can be found before the summer, transfer chief Ashworth will reportedly look to cash in on Joelinton while he still can. Allowing the midfielder to run down his contract would likely see him leave for free in 2025.
The same report states that Billing is being eyed up by the Toon as a candidate to replace Joelinton. Howe signed the Dane for Bournemouth back in 2019 and still holds the player in high esteem.
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Standing at 6ft 4in and comfortable in midfield as well as further forward, Billing is strikingly similar in profile to Joelinton, who Howe has transformed since taking the reins on Tyneside. The Bournemouth star has scored two and assisted twice more in 18 Premier League appearances this season.
His haul of almost 150 appearances in the English top flight will tick another box if Howe and Ashworth are forced into the transfer market this summer. But Newcastle are also keeping their options open, with several other midfield candidates in the crosshairs.
Dan Ashworth may look to offload Joelinton this summer (Image: Getty)
Kalvin Phillips has admirers in the north-east, although there is a reluctance to meet Manchester City's demand for a £7million loan fee. Middlesbrough's Hayden Hackney is also believed to be a player of interest.
Meanwhile, Newcastle chief scout Steve Nickson reportedly jetted out to Italy this week to take a closer look at Atalanta star Ederson, who could cost up to £50m.
