After three very quiet transfer windows, PIF are attempting to spend big at Newcastle United.
The Magpies have three transfer pursuits on the go at the same time, with Newcastle making moves for Joao Pedro, Anthony Elanga and James Trafford.
Toon officials have made bids for all three, as they aim to kickstart their summer recruitment drive. However, the Newcastle United owners will need to dig a little deeper, as all three offers have been rejected.
£45million is not enough for Elanga. £50million is not enough for Pedro. £25million is not enough for Trafford.
But the intent is there, which will absolutely delight Eddie Howe.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe raises his fist in the air and smiles after qualifying for the Champions League.
Photo by Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images
Eddie Howe issued a transfer demand to Newcastle United
Even before the transfer window opened, the Newcastle United manager made it clear that he wants the club to move fast.
“Speed is key for us, which I’ve reiterated many times internally,” he said immediately after Newcastle’s final game of the season.
“Speed is key because we have to be dynamic, we have to be ready to conclude things very quickly, because good players don’t hang around for long.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
“That’s always been my thought and my message on recruitment, because you can have a period when you think you have time, but then you look around quickly and you see that time has elapsed and you missed opportunities you won’t get again.
“That is what we will be trying, but the reality is it is not always in your hands. We will be doing our best to do things early.”
There is added pressure behind the scenes, as Howe would like two signings before pre-season starts on 7th July. That is less than two weeks away.
With Newcastle making major moves for three players, the intent is there from PIF to bow down to the manager’s demands. And so there should be, as Howe is the key reason why their Newcastle United project is going so well. He is the one who guided the club to Carabao Cup glory and has qualified for the Champions League in two of the last three seasons.
When Newcastle United could see their new signings in action if Eddie Howe’s wish comes true
In a perfect world, Newcastle will sign all three of Elanga, Pedro and Trafford before pre-season begins. However, that would be wildly ambitious, given it would likely mean the Magpies have to spend more than £130million.
Even to get two out of three in the door by 7th July would be a success. It would allow them to be immediately integrated into the Newcastle United squad, as they prepare for what will be a gruelling 2025/26 campaign.
The Magpies have a difficult pre-season planned, with Eddie Howe’s side set to take on some top-level sides.
First up for Newcastle United is a trip north of the border. Newcastle face Celtic on 19th July, which could give Toon supporters their first chance to watch the club’s new signings in action.
It was a similar story the last time Newcastle were in Glasgow, with Sandro Tonali making his first Toon appearance during a friendly against Rangers in 2023.
That will be Howe’s dream, as pressure mounts on PIF to make it a reality.