According to The Telegraph, Newcastle are set to save the majority of our transfer budget for the summer window despite making a strong push for a Champions League position in the first half of the season.
The Toon are currently third in the league after just one defeat in the opening 15 games, but rather than ‘trying to rush’ our return to Europe by spending over the odds in January, our owners are ‘sticking to the plan to achieve gradual and sustainable growth’.
There is also the belief that with this incredible run of form occurring largely without Alexander Isak and Allan Saint-Maximin, the team should be even stronger upon their return from injury, meaning signings are less of a priority.
However, this is not to say that we will actively look to avoid spending – if the right deal presents itself, we would certainly explore the possibility of a move, particularly with the club wanting depth in positions such as right-back to cover for 32-year-old Kieran Trippier.
A defensive and a creative midfielder are also set to be ‘looked at’ by our transfer team heading into the summer window with the likes of James Maddison having already been heavily linked.
But even if we should fall out of Champions League contention in May or earlier, there remains confidence from the top that we can still finish in the top seven – putting us right on track for our long-term project and guaranteeing European football to some capacity.
Eddie Howe has been unable to field his strongest 11 so far this season, so this strategy makes sense.
T0onman1954(Quote)
People believe this guff
CL is now the target for this season
PremAndUp(Quote)
Emanuel Swedenborg approves of the direction of the club & what the owners are going. Progress being the key. Gerrard & Lampard didnt see any real progress. What Eddie is doing is magnificent.
Action Manning(Quote)