Early signs in this summer’s transfer window are that the Premier League’s elite teams are committed to spending big, as the league only gets more and more competitive.
Each of Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea have made a marquee signing, and the rest of the league may not be far behind.
Newcastle United, meanwhile, have had a relatively slow start to the window, missing out on Liam Delap to Chelsea and opting against an expensive move for Man Utd-bound Bryan Mbeumo.
Work is being done, however, to bring in the likes of James Trafford, Anthony Elanga and Joao Pedro, but fans have been clamouring for big name signings for multiple windows now, and Alan Shearer believes now is the time to strike.
Addressing Newcastle’s summer transfer plans, Shearer issued a slight warning that the club needs to capitalise on any PSR headroom and build a squad that can truly compete on several fronts next season.
He feels now is the perfect time to invest, not only to build from a position of strength after a trophy and Champions League qualification, but also to show our star players that Newcastle mean business and plan to compete at the top season on season.
“Fifth place and Champions League football, there’s no fear from me that he (Isak) would leave this season. But I think we do have to kick on now for him and the other big players.
“They will want this to happen on a regular basis, and that’s what Newcastle now have to do. Not only for Alex but for the rest of the fans, now we have to kick on. We are in a position now we have waited for so long, and it would be crazy not to kick on now.”
It’s been three windows since the club brought in a major first team signing, so many will feel that despite the current squad’s success, there’s no excuse now not to strengthen, as Shearer explains.
“They have done what we couldn’t do (win a trophy), even with great managers and great players before us couldn’t do. That has to put them in a healthy position. They haven’t signed anybody in three windows so you’d think that they are ready to kick on.”
For parts of last season, only Liverpool were more consistent and winning more points than Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United.
And even as form dipped toward the end of the season following the 2-0 win over Chelsea, the Magpies were within touching distance of 2nd place, and small numbers of fans speculate that with the right additions, we could be title contenders next season.
Shearer isn’t entirely convinced and suggests it may be too soon, but is not ruling out the impact that a few top quality signings could have on our form next season.
“Maybe not at the minute (to challenge for the title), but they have the opportunity by signing the right players. By August, if they sign two or three big hitters, then I think they will be in a better position.”
“Obviously, I wasn’t there when they lost a 12-point lead. I came in and I was meant to be the final piece of the jigsaw. But it didn’t work out like that. Now they are in a really healthy position.”