Newcastle United's English head coach Eddie Howe (L) applauds as Newcastle United's Swedish striker #14 Alexander Isak celebrates on stage at the Town Moor in Newcastle upon Tyne, in north-east England, on March 29, 2025, during a celebration and presentation of the League Cup trophy with fans after Newcastle United won the English League Cup, their first domestic trophy for 70 years. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has delivered arguably his most bullish summer transfer window update of the season as he revealed the Magpies were free of Profit and Sustainability Rules [PSR] concerns and expecting to strengthen in the upcoming trading period.
United have been hamstrung by the Premier League's spending regulations in recent windows, as Howe soldiered on with a similar squad to the summer of 2023 after a barren period of incoming transfer business. Both last summer and the recent January window saw Newcastle sell, rather than spend, with the likes of Elliot Anderson, Yankuba Minteh, Miguel Almiron and Lloyd Kelly departing.
United are still, remarkably, in the race for second place heading into the penultimate game of the season against current runners-up Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. That bodes well for the future as Newcastle prepare to strengthen in the near future.
“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,” Howe said when quizzed over United's ambitions at Friday morning's press conference.
“There’s no doubt that’s what the club’s ambition is. But of course, as we’ve said many times, the ability financially to compete (over) 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.”
Howe's latest comments come just a week after the Magpies' chief admitted his side would look to take advantage of rivals suffering similar PSR fates to Newcastle this time last year. Aston Villa, Chelsea and Manchester United are all said to be in the selling market as they look to balance the books.
Thankfully, United will likely avoid such a scenario themselves as they look to build around the likes of Alexander Isak, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes. Discussing those players being linked with moves away, Howe added: 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, yeah, it’s a source of frustration, but I don’t let it absorb me, really.”