Newcastle head for the Emirates Stadium on Sunday two points behind the Gunners in the Premier League table
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File photo dated 08-02-2025 of Newcastle boss Eddie Howe who has admitted his frustration at seeing his star players repeatedly touted as transfer targets for Arsenal as the clubs prepare to battle it out for second place in the Premier League. Issue date: Friday May 16, 2025.
File photo dated 08-02-2025 of Newcastle boss Eddie Howe who has admitted his frustration at seeing his star players repeatedly touted as transfer targets for Arsenal as the clubs prepare to battle it out for second place in the Premier League. Issue date: Friday May 16, 2025.
(Image: © 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved)
Eddie Howe has admitted his frustration amid speculation surrounding Newcastle United's players as they continue to be linked with other top clubs. Striker Alexander Isak has been linked with both Liverpool and Arsenal, who are the Magpies' opponents on Sunday.
Newcastle could still finish as runners-up behind Liverpool, with them sitting just two points behind the Gunners with two games to go. A win for the Magpies at the Emirates would see them leapfrog into the lead for the second-place finish.
However, the scenario comes amidst the backdrop of pundits speculating that Newcastle's top talent— such as Isak, Anthony Gordon, and Bruno Guimaraes— could enhance their careers by moving to Arsenal or other clubs. Gordon was subject to interest from Liverpool last summer and Isak has also been linked with the Reds.
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Howe said: "It is a frustration because I don't see why our players are getting linked here, there and everywhere with other clubs.
"I'd like to think the players are happy here. I'd like to think again that they're seeing us grow and develop into a team that hopefully can compete at the top end of the division.
"We have no divine right to do that, but I think we're going in the right direction, so yes, it's a source of frustration. But I don't let it absorb me, really."
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The landscape has shifted significantly at St James' Park under the current ownership, transforming Newcastle's standing after being perceived as a selling club during Mike Ashley's tenure. With savvy investment, they've managed to shatter a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy and are vying for a Champions League spot.
Although spending constraints have hindered progress, resulting in no major signings over the last three transfer windows, that trend is set to change in the upcoming summer.
According to head coach Eddie Howe, consistent success is pivotal in underlining the club's ambitious direction. "Regular success, consistent success, all these things help you in the journey that you're on to show to everybody that that's where the club's ambition is. There's no doubt that's what the club's ambition is."
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He added that previous financial limitations, caused by Profitability and Sustainability Regulations, won't be a hindrance in the next transfer window. "As we've said many times, the ability financially to compete the last few years has been hampered by PSR. But those issues aren't there for the coming window, so I don't see any reason why we can't strengthen, not weaken ourselves."
While wages might pose a different challenge, Howe indicated that the location of the north-east, compared to London, has not deterred players from joining the club. Furthermore, he suggested that perceptions of a soft salary cap need to be nuanced, as it ultimately depends on the player's value to the team.
Defender Sven Botman's participation in the upcoming match is uncertain after he sustained a knee injury during last weekend's 2-0 victory over Chelsea, though the injury is not believed to be severe.