Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe reacts during the pre-season friendly match between Newcastle United and RCD Espanyol at St James' Park on August 08, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.placeholder image
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe reacts during the pre-season friendly match between Newcastle United and RCD Espanyol at St James' Park on August 08, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. | Getty Images
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has fired this transfer message to his Premier League rivals.
Newcastle United transfers, this summer, at least, has become a term for ridicule.
Protracted chases for the likes of Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Sesko and Joao Pedro, and the still ongoing Alexander Isak saga, has built a narrative of failure and rejection around the Magpies’ business, as well as pushing many to question whether the project really remains on the right trajectory right now?
NUFC transfers: What next for Eddie Howe?
Obviously the deals for England international Aaron Ramsdale and winger Anthony Elanga have boosted the club’s ranks this summer, but the loss of Isak has been felt starkly. Just a week out from the start of the Premier League season the club don’t have a senior recognised, available striker.
And while Howe does think deals will get done between now and September 1, he cautiously states he’s ‘hopeful’ rather than expectant - a safe stance to take given the twists and turns of the Magpies’ most turbulent summer in recent memory.
NUFC can prove doubters wrong - AGAIN
While Howe wants new players - he does not think it is be all and end all. Yes, it helps, but he’s on a familiar path, as things stand. A lack of transfers last summer saw the club plunged into uncertainty. And still, despite those circumstances, Newcastle went on to finish fifth in the Premier League, and quite memorably lift the Carabao Cup on March 16. The stuff of dreams, yes, but it didn’t come from a foundation of transfers in the windows that went before it. And Howe is quick to point that out.
In a message to the club’s Premier League rivals, many of whom have already extensively strengthened, Howe is backing his players to again prove their doubters wrong, even if they have to do it without any further recruits.
When asked whether the window can be saved, he said: “Yeah, it can. It can. I've said many times in reply to that question. Everyone when the window's shut gives it a rating, that's a 10 and that's a 1.
“We didn't sign many players last summer and everyone said it's a disastrous window, PSR is affecting our long-term success and we're going to have one of the best seasons in recent memory.
“So, signing players doesn't guarantee everything It does, if you get it right, obviously can take your squad forward to a different area. We're in a position, I think, where we haven't recruited for so long. We are very keen to add new stimulus to the group. Change is sometimes a really good thing for the squad. But if we had to go with the squad that we have into the season, I would do that very proudly .And I'd bank on the lads proving everybody wrong again.”
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