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Eddie Howe discusses Newcastle’s transfer plans in advance of their Champions League qualifying.
Eddie Howe, the manager of Newcastle United, maintains that the team would only add the “right players” as they advance under the new ownership while still keeping a careful check on the club’s budget.
With five games left in the domestic season and a game in hand over fifth-placed Liverpool, the Magpies are inching closer to securing a spot in the Champions League. This weekend, they will host Arsenal, who are currently in second position.
Newcastle will certainly need to make plans, and with probable Champions League qualifying coming earlier than expected this season, attention will quickly turn to how they can prepare their team to fight with Europe’s top teams.
Majority shareholders PIF are the wealthiest owners in the Premier League and have already spent nearly a quarter of a billion pounds on players since taking over the club in late 2021.
Earlier this week, 90min reported that PIF was interested in signing Brazilian Neymar to the team because they believed it would be within their financial reach. Additionally, meeting FFP requirements for Champions League qualification will increase spending capacity.
In spite of being connected to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the same week, Howe is still cautious about potential targets and the funding for them.
“Since the takeover, naturally everyone has assumed that the biggest names in world football will be going to Newcastle. Now, we’ve not recruited in that way. Financially, we can’t recruit that way at the moment,” said Howe ahead of the weekend clash with Arsenal.
“But also, we have to bring the right people and the right players into the group. I will say that the transfer market is such a complex decision. You can’t just pick a name and bring them in – there’s got to be a lot of thought goes into what we’re doing, both financially and looking at the players.
“It doesn’t frustrate me because the players you mention are incredible players. I don’t waste any time over speculation. I know what direction I want to take the team in.”