Newcastle United fans can be excited about what’s to come this summer.
After Newcastle United followed up their Carabao Cup victory with a second Champions League qualification in three seasons, things are looking up for Eddie Howe.
Indeed, the Newcastle United manager hasn’t had it easy. Club owners PIF have been unable to spend much money of late due to the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), leaving Howe without many significant first-team signings since the summer of 2023.
Howe is now set for transfer talks with the Newcastle owners, however. Having the Champions League on offer is a huge financial boost to the club, while being able to offer it to potential transfer targets is another positive.
Newcastle’s summer transfer budget could be £150million but player trading is a key part of the game in a PSR world. Even last season, Aston Villa chose to sell Douglas Luiz and Jhon Duran despite reaching the Champions League.
Still, Howe set out an exciting message about Newcastle’s PSR situation after the Everton game.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Eddie Howe confirms PSR latest as Newcastle United qualify for the Champions League
Despite losing to Everton, Newcastle qualified for the Champions League on goal difference because Manchester United beat Aston Villa.
It meant Howe’s side squeezed ahead of Villa to finish fifth which, frankly, was lucky given the absolutely dire performance against Everton.
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Still, how you get there does not really matter. The fact is that Newcastle United are a Champions League club again.
Asked whether or not the club had to sell any of their best players now, Howe said during his post-match press conference: “I always have to say this, as far I’m aware, we have no PSR issues heading into this deadline [June 30].
“I have to put that in there because I’m not seeing the figures. I’m only relaying what I’m getting told. I think we’re in a lot healthier a position, a lot stronger a position and we’re looking to reverse what we did last summer.”
How much money Newcastle United spent the last time they were in the Champions League
The summer of 2023 was the last time the club were able to spend big money.
Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall were all signed, although Hall joined on loan first before making his deal permanent the following summer.
Newcastle spent £131.5million the last time they qualified for the Champions League, though they did sell reasonably big-name players in the form of Chris Wood and Allan Saint-Maximin in the process.
Newcastle want to sign at least three first-team players this summer and it’s exciting to think what Howe will be able to do with the squad when fresh faces arrive.