Howe’s new transfer hint in post-match chat with local press – Very interesting comments

Eddie Howe claims there won’t be “huge numbers” of new signings arriving at St James’ Park this summer, suggesting it may be quality over quantity as we prepare for Champions League football.

It’s worth noting that the boss will be mindful of managing expectations and may be laying down a marker when it comes to the Newcastle tax – he’s not going to come out and confirm we have £300m to spend – but it seems clear that he’s expecting a tough transfer window.

He insists that we won’t “spend the money people think we have”, pointing towards more smart signings that fit within the group, improve our first-team and allow us to work within FFP restrictions.

Here’s what he had to say when speaking to the local press moments after last night’s 0-0 draw with Leicester, followed by a video of his post-match presser in full:

“My mind goes to next year. We want to compete and do ourselves justice (in the Champions League), so there’s a lot of work ahead – we look forward to it.

“The biggest challenge for us is trying to maintain and improve (the unity within the squad), while adding to the squad – but it won’t be huge numbers, it’ll be selecting the right player that can make us better.”

“We have got to try and get it right. It’s going to underpin our success. I think we’ve been really good in the three transfer windows so far since I’ve been here, but the challenge gets harder as we’ve become a better team – so there’s less players that will make us better, so it’s going to be a big window for us.

“It won’t be huge numbers. I don’t think it can be. We don’t have the ability to spend the money people think we have.

“We have to be very smart. It won’t be a huge group of players, but hopefully ones that can make the difference.