Newcastle United have signed three youngsters this summer but remain active in the transfer market.
John Barnes has told Newcastle United supporters they cannot expect to make superstar signings.
The 62-year-old also insisted it is impossible for the Magpies to compete with the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool. Toon chiefs have struggled to attract their top target for the past two summer windows.
A deal to sign Spanish winger Victor Munoz was hijacked by Liverpool. Likewise, Aston Villa - with Champions League football on offer - swooped in to snatch Johan Manzambi.
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‘It’s impossible’ - John Barnes
Speaking to Betfred, ex-Liverpool and Newcastle winger Barnes dished out a brutal reality check to Eddie Howe’s side. He also told the fans to “remember” being relegated before the current regime arrived.
“What Newcastle are doing is what Newcastle have always had to do,” Barnes said. “This happens with a lot of other teams too, but if stars want to leave then they’re going to leave. However, they can get players in because they’ve got money and they’re a big club, but they’re not going to get the superstars.
“They can still compete to finish between eighth and fourth and if they want to go any higher than that, then they’re going to have to go with a different approach. It’s impossible for them to compete with the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United.”
“Their owners have come in and given them stability, so the fans need to remember the times when they were being, and almost getting, relegated. They’ll have some adjustments to make, but I don’t think they’ll struggle. What they can do is buy the next Sandro Tonali and the next Anthony Gordon.”
Eddie Howe on transfer window
Howe sent a message to the Toon hierarchy before the window that the squad cannot afford to become weaker. That was before Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali were sold.
“The transfer window is very difficult to predict,” Howe said. “Players may well leave. If they do, they do; if they don’t, we move on with the group we have. But we are doing things to try to improve.
“If people do leave, we need to bring in better players. The team and the squad can’t get weaker, that is my big thing. That is the nature of football, it is changing and evolving all the time. This summer we might see a change of speed. It is about coming out stronger, but it may well be different.”
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