Transfer update from Eddie Howe - Almiron, Kelly, incomings and identifying targets

As well as offering an injury update ahead of tomorrow's trip to Southampton, Eddie Howe was asked about transfers - both in and out - during this morning's press conference.

Miguel Almiron was discussed as talk of a £10m move to Atlanta United drags on, as was Lloyd Kelly following links to Fenerbahce and Juventus over the past week.

The potential of other exits was also on the agenda, although Howe's comments on incomings didn't offer a great deal of confidence to fans hoping for late signings over the next 10 days.

Howe issues Almiron and Kelly update

With Miguel Almiron pictured smiling in training this week as talk of a return to the MLS continues, Eddie Howe offered an update on the Paraguayan's future, admitting there is interest and a chance he could leave:

On Kelly, who has been heavily linked with Juventus all week via the Italian press, Howe insisted the club have not received an offer "anywhere close" to tempt us into a sale.

Howe said: "I think it's a slightly different situation with Lloyd. I've seen a little bit of the speculation on Lloyd. We've certainly not had any bid anywhere close to making the club make a decision on that.

"Lloyd's an integral part of what we're doing from my perspective. His challenge is to try and work his way into the team. He's only just arrived, so I think he's got a lot to achieve here. So, it's a very different situation."

Asked about Fenerbahce's public comments about their talks to sign the defender, Howe felt it was 'not ideal' for another club to discuss a move for one of our players.

"Well, I think whenever your players are talked about by other clubs, I don't think that's ideal. And certainly, I try not to do that myself regarding players contracted to other clubs as well."

On further outgoings, Howe was "not ruling anything out", admitting there may be more outgoings outside the "core group" of players in his first-team.

 Howe on incomings - "Never say never...but"

Eddie Howe's comments on potential incomings weren't particularly surprising or positive this morning, sadly.

He's previously highlighted the need to sell before we can sign and it seems PSR is hampering us again, with Howe admitting that "nothing has changed" on that front.

The boss said "never say never", but insists we have "not been active in terms of incomings" so far, suggesting there's every chance no one arrives before the February 3rd deadline a week on Monday unless something changes:

"Nothing has changed in terms of this window and my previous comments this month." Howe added, "you never say never, so I'm not saying that...but in this moment, as we stand, we've not been active in terms of incomings.”

"We are not in a position to be active in the market. That might change if something happens."

The manager insisted that work is going on in the background to identify targets, however. "We have to prepare as if we can recruit. We know what we would do and the positions we would potentially recruit in.

"The work has gone on (to identify targets), otherwise you lose track of the market and players. So we have done all the work we need to do."