Newcastle United transfers: Eddie Howe has revealed he will play a key role in the club’s transfer strategy this summer.
Eddie Howe has already admitted Newcastle United have ‘a lot of work to do’ this summer to bounce back from last season’s 12th-place finish.
But it hasn’t exactly been the best of starts for the Magpies as they’ve sold top scorer Anthony Gordon to Barcelona for £70million, missed out on signing his potential replacement Victor Munoz to Liverpool all while the speculation surrounding Sandro Tonali’s future gathers momentum.
Newcastle have signed one player already this summer with 20-year-old Ewen Jaouen joining from Stade de Reims for £18million. But the youngster has been brought in as a second-choice goalkeeper behind either Nick Pope or a new number one should Pope depart.
Eddie Howe and (inset) Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope.placeholder image
Eddie Howe and (inset) Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope. | Getty Images
Pope will be allowed to leave this summer and, as revealed by The Gazette, has held talks with his boyhood club Ipswich Town over a potential move.
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Eddie Howe remains at the helm of transfers
This summer will be Howe’s first working with new sporting director Ross Wilson. Wilson was appointed after last summer’s transfer window which saw Newcastle operate without a sporting director in place.
And despite last summer’s transfer window being heavily criticised as the club spent over £250million on new signings only for the team to regress on the pitch.
Looking ahead to this summer, Howe claims he will continue to play a decision-making role in the player recruitment process.
“We've had different sporting directors, the processes haven't changed,” Howe explained at the end of the season. “So, when we recruit a player, what’s fundamentally important is that me and the coaching team like that player and can see a way that we can get the very best out of him in our team.
“Signing a player that doesn't fit that criteria, I think, is unhealthy. And the club have been really good in helping me sort of mould the squad as I want to.
“So I think I always say judge me by every signing that we've made since I've been here, not just by one or two that people want to sort of beat me with a stick with.
“Across the board, I think we've recruited really well. Of course, there will be question marks on certain players. I understand that comes with the territory. But I'm really proud of our recruitment.
“There's got a lot of work that's gone into it. But all the players that we've signed, whether it's abroad or domestic based, have been chased and endorsed by myself.”
Victor Munoz: A transfer blow or not?
One such player was winger Munoz of Osasuna, who Newcastle felt they had agreed a deal with only for Liverpool to secure the transfer from under their nose.
But ultimately, that could prove a blessing in disguise for Newcastle as Howe refuted the suggestion the club could be seen as a ‘stepping stone’ for players once again.
When asked about his ‘non-negotiables’ when it comes to signing players, Howe told The Gazette: “The big thing for me is they have to want to come and play for this great football club. That's number one.
“And in my experience, if the player has any doubt and isn't totally sure this is the right place for them, it doesn't work.
“If I look back at the most successful signings we've had here, every player has been desperate to come and put that black and white shirt on. So I think take apart all the other things. That is number one for me.”
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