Eddie Howe has warned Newcastle fans that recent rate of spending is “unsustainable” ahead of January transfer window, supporting Dan Ashworth’s push to produce more home-grown stars after shelling out £200m on new signings over the past year.
Newcastle unveils record signing Alexander Isak after £63m move from Real Sociedad. (Photo: Getty Images)
Due to financial fair play regulations and a significant lack of commercial income, it seems unlikely – for now – that we will be able to spend big like we did on Alexander Isak (£63m) and Sven Botman (£33m) all in one window.
Dan Ashworth, Newcastle sporting director, made it clear to supporters that the big spending we have done in the last 12 months will not become the norm and has urged fans to manage their expectations, saying – “You can’t keep doing that (spending £200m) every year. You just can’t, so consequently we have to look at some emerging talent, enhancing our academy and getting the players through from a different route.”
Eddie Howe was quick to agree with the 55-year-old but reassured fans that they will try to ‘improve’ every other aspect of the club so that we don’t have to rely on big transfer fees being spent each window.
Here’s what Howe’s had to say in response to Ashworth’s comments:
“Yeah, I do think that’s unsustainable. Financial Fair Play, I know is mentioned a lot, but that will guarantee it. We have to be mindful of that fact.
“That is why we need to improve all aspects of the football club to make sure we don’t have to go into the transfer market and spend that money.
“Can we produce more of our own players? Can we improve everything we deliver so we are not so reliant on huge transfer fees because it is going to be very difficult for the future for all clubs to spend that kind of money on a consistent basis.
“Dan has made that comment. Obviously I take my information from him so we go into the next window knowing it will be very different from the last one. No two windows are the same.
“We know we will have to control that spending, for sure.”
However, the club, which had been looking for a winger in the summer, will look to strengthen in the summer, according to Howe.
“We’re trying to provide long-term growth, we’ve got a longer-term vision,” said Howe.
“At the moment, we have quite an ageing squad, so we probably need to invest in more young players. That’s probably a big part of our progression, really.”
Newcastle signed forward Garang Kuol from Central Coast Mariners last month. The plan is to loan out 18-year-old for the second half of the season when he formally joins United in January.
Howe on January transfer window.
Eddie Howe said after beating Spurs: “We’re not currently looking at January. When the Premier League breaks for the World Cup that will be the time when I will have a look.
“I’m very pleased with the group, we still have a number of injuries and players not available today who I think would make a huge difference especially to our in game options.
“The priority is to get those players back fit, once we do we have a very good squad. Then we’ll look to see which areas we can strengthen.”
Newcastle hope to see Allan Saint-Maximin back before the World Cup but Alexander Isak will have to wait until the resumption of play after the Qatar tournament.