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Leeds, Everton discover Eddie Howe stance on selling Newcastle man after Prem switch talked up

Chris Wood and Matt Targett of Newcastle

Newcastle United are unlikely to let striker Chris Wood leave in the January transfer window following links with Leeds United and Everton, TEAMtalk has been told.

Wood joined Newcastle from Burnley in January. The Magpies spent a reported £25million to bolster their attacking ranks with Wood’s signing, while also weakening then relegation rivals Burnley.

The New Zealander has gone on to make 33 appearances for Newcastle, registering four goals.

His place in the Newcastle side came under threat over the summer when Eddie Howe’s team spent a club-record £60m to sign Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad.

However, Wood has featured slightly more than he anticipated this term due to Isak suffering a thigh injury after just three Newcastle appearances.

Isak is pushing to return in the coming weeks, which could see Wood spend more time on the bench. And there has been talk of him leaving St James’ Park for another Premier League side to get more game time.

On December 3, Football Insider tipped Leeds to move for Wood this winter. His return to Elland Road would be controversial, given the circumstances in which he left the club for Burnley in August 2017.

On December 10, pundit Noel Whelan said Everton should consider signing the 31-year-old from Newcastle as he is ‘a big step above’ Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s current backup, Salomon Rondon.

Newcastle planning to keep Chris Wood

TEAMtalk transfer insider Graeme Bailey has confirmed that numerous clubs have been in touch with Newcastle about Wood’s availability. But he is likely to stay on Tyneside, until the end of the campaign at least.

“It is believed that Newcastle have had a number of clubs touch base about Chris Wood, but they are not in a real hurry to sell just yet,” Bailey told TEAMtalk.

“With Isak only just coming back from injury and Callum Wilson, Wood is an ideal back-up and over a dozen appearances this season for Eddie Howe highlights that.

“Don’t be surprised if Newcastle decide to hang on to Wood until the summer at least.”

Meanwhile, Leeds will face competition from Liverpool to sign a Championship midfielder, according to reports.