Saudi owners set to back Howe with January signings as Ashworth drops transfer hint

According to Mark Douglas at iNews, the injury crisis at Newcastle United has ‘focused minds’ heading into the January transfer window.

He reports that Eddie Howe has received support from co-owner Amanda Staveley, with Toon chiefs expected to back their man in the New Year with ‘loan and permanent signings.’

Recruitment meetings have taken place over the international break, with owners accepting that a deeper squad is needed, along with more academy talents able to step in when needed. A source close to the club told i, “You can’t emphasise enough that the culture at Newcastle has totally changed. The club no longer has the attitude of that’ll do, it’s ‘How can we be the best that we can be?’”, showing the constant ambition to improve from the Saudi PIF down.

Speaking about the winter window, sporting director Dan Ashworth hinted at bringing our business forward to January if the right deal emerges. He said, “If the right opportunities come in January we don’t mind bringing that (spending) forward. We did that with Anthony Gordon last January when we brought that forward when we had the opportunity. Nothing is any different. What we always try to do is have that flexibility.”