Newcastle United are taking a very risky approach to how we do business in the transfer market, but it’s one that could pay off massively if everything comes together at the right time.

There’s been an overwhelming feeling of frustration from the supporters regarding our lack of signings in the last three windows, but football finance expert Rob Wilson knows why we have been so frugal.

Finance expert explains Newcastle strategy

Speaking to the i, Wilson, a proffesor at the University Campus of Football Business, explained how Newcastle hope that selling fringe players like Lloyd Kelly and Miguel Almiron will allow us greater freedom to spend moving forwards.

There has previously been suggestions that someone like Alexander Isak or Bruno Guimaraes must be sold if we are to ever really progress as a football club, but our owners feel there is another way to combat our PSR issues.

Th i report that the sales of Almiron and Kelly this January have helped to raise our budget to around £100m from a PSR perspective, which will not only be crucial in helping us keep our best players, but also allow us to finally invest this summer.

Speaking on our strategy, Wilson said: “Newcastle’s strategy is to free up some PSR space so that they’ve got a bigger warchest by selling players who are fringe players and from that perspective it represents smart business.

Short term pain for long-term gain?

It may not be ideal for Eddie Howe and the supporters currently given the lack of squad depth, but in the long run this strategy should help us reach our goal of competing at Europe’s highest level on a consistent basis far quicker than selling our best stars.

The biggest risk will be potentially failing to reach the top four or five this year due to a lack of quality players and ultimately resulting in someone like Isak leaving anyway in search of Champions League football.

In a year in which the likes of Man City, Tottenham an Man United are all performing well below par we simply must capitalise push for that UCL spot, especially given we also have a lack of European football to contend with this year.