The Mail’s Craig Hope has released an in-depth piece on Newcastle’s transfer plans – and it doesn’t bode particularly well for anyone hoping to see us splash hundreds of millions this summer.
He reports that Eddie Howe and his recruitment team have been informed that there’ll be £75m available to spend this summer before player sales – although it may be best to take such figures with a pinch of salt based on our spending since new owners arrived.
After speaking with ‘several sources’, the North-East reporter says this is the reality based on end-of-season calculations around FFP, with our £250m spend over the past three windows putting us on the back foot financially.
The club have just announced a £25m-per-year deal with Saudi giants Sela, but The Mail state that commercial income was so low under Mike Ashley that it continues to impact our spending power in the market. I imagine this is partly true, but I also feel the club are briefing that we are low on cash to fight against the ‘Newcastle tax’ and perceptions we’ll spend silly money now we’re back in the Champions League?
As for who we’ll sign, Hope reports that James Maddison has been identified as our top target, but states Leicester teammate Harvey Barnes or Bayer Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby will NOT be pursued.
Moises Caicedo is also mentioned – it’s thought a new holding midfielder is one of our main priorities – although his hefty asking price means the Brighton midfielder is likely to be beyond our budget.
Elsewhere, the same piece states that Leicester’s Simon Capper is set to become the latest behind-the-scenes arrival, coming in as our new chief financial officer.
Oh dear Craig Hope(less)
this will give you an idea of why we should ignore these people
Newspaper Transfer Budgets v Actual Transfer Spends
January 2022: £50m v £85m
Summer 2022: £60m v £120m
January 2023: £20m v £48m
Yip they nailed it
Porkpie(Quote)
Craig dope … same as fluke edwards .. neither are journalists both are click bait merchants … both write for “ fake news” outlets
Mike(Quote)
Craig Hopeless… remember when he said Newcastle should go for Steven Gerrard to replace Bruce?
Peter Ryan(Quote)