Michael Owen has revealed his surprise at Newcastle’s Saudi-backed owners this summer, feeling we’d have spent more on attacking players who could’ve taken us to the “next level.”
He’s praised Eddie Howe and the “amazing” business we pulled off in January, but fears we’ll be missing out on any European ambitions if we don’t sign “two or three” more over the final few weeks of the window.
Speaking to DAZN, the former Toon striker felt we’d make a “big push” for the likes of Raheem Sterling – who ended up sealing a £50m move to Chelsea – and free agent Jesse Lingard, now at Nottingham Forest.
Owen backs us to have a solid season and certainly anticipates no flirting with relegation as we saw last term, however he probably echoes the thoughts of several Toon fans when it comes to the lack of signings in the final third.
Here’s what he’s had to say when asked about our summer so far:
“I’ve been surprised how quiet they’ve been in the transfer window,”
“They’ve kept the powder dry and in many ways they had a really good transfer window in January. That was amazing.
“And I really like the manager (Eddie Howe). I did a lot of work with him while he was out of the game once he left Bournemouth and I can’t tell you how much he impressed me. I’m really impressed with him. So I think they’re in good shape.
“But I did expect them to sign one or two more [players], [but] I do expect them to be absolutely fine, of course, this season.”
“I was expecting them to maybe push for European places if they went and signed two or three good players, the likes of, you know [Jesse] Lingard, I thought maybe.
“Raheem Sterling, I thought they might go and make a big push for players like that to get them to that next level,”
“So Europe now is looking — I’m not quite sure about that. But I think it’ll be a solid season for them.”
Michael sick note Owen should keep is own council. He was poor at Newcastle and hands out advice on a club he didn’t want to sign for in the beginning he as said he only joined us because the likes of Liverpool or Manchester United didn’t come in for him.
Bootyboy(Quote)
We have about 100mill net over 3 years in actual spend…..that doesnt mean we can not spend 200mill and pay 100 off it,,,,I mean actual transfer payments made…
We showed 44mill profit last ffp……….
We are allowed 105mill loss…..this does not mean we have 44 and 105…….every addition we add to wage bill takes off money as wages increase profit diminishes,,,,,atm we cant do much…
For michael owen to state that shows what a thick bloke he is…..it is not only the fee that fecks us for sterling it is the wages…..hence why the toon are capped at 110k….roughly…
If wages increase 20mill a year……we lose 60mill net spend off our total if income remains the same…..yes we gain 22.5 from the new shirt badge and we will gain a little from our final positions…but a team earning 180mill can not outlay half that on 1 player fee plus wages…..
Our fans have got to realise it is not the fees only it is the wages……at the end of 3 year if we have lost over 105mill we could get a big points deduction…..
It is impossible for pif to deal on the like of maddison for 60…..the only way that deal happens if he agrees wages of 11-k and we pay the fee over 5/6years…it is mathmatically impossible we can do the deal cash….
MATTY D(Quote)
MATTY D(Quote)
110k a week….
MATTY D(Quote)
If he accepts, we will pay the money over a period of 5 or 6 years for a salary of 110k. Mathematically, we cannot do what we want to do. basketball stars
IvoryMorissette(Quote)
we lose 60mill net spend off our total if income remains the same…. Idle mining empire
tyboy(Quote)