The Magpies have been held back from signings in recent windows but Eddie Howe is sensing "change" in terms of recruitment after PSR issues have been unlocked
Eddie Howe and chairman of Newcastle United, Yasir Al-Rumayyan
Eddie Howe and chairman of Newcastle United, Yasir Al-Rumayyan
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe insists that there is still enough time to make the transfer window a success story this summer.
The Magpies are about to complete the signing of Malick Thiaw to go with Anthony Elanga and Aaron Ramsdale and also have their sights on two new strikers.
With Alexander Isak's future looking increasingly ominous, Howe is working with a view to replacing the Sweden international permanently with work also ongoing to fill the void of back-up striker after Callum Wilson's exit in July.
When asked if it can still be a successful window, Howe told Chronicle Live: "Yes, it can. I have said many times in reply to that question, everyone rates transfer windows when the windows shut and gives it, 'That's a 10 and that's a one'.
"We didn't sign many players last summer and everyone said, 'It's a disastrous window and PSR is affecting our long-term success', and we go and have one of the best seasons in recent memory, so signing players doesn't guarantee everything.
"It can – if you get it right – obviously take your squad forward to a different area."
For the previous couple of windows, Newcastle battled hard to ensure that they adhered to the Premier League's PSR rule book.
We understand that Thiaw's arrival is a signal from within the four walls that PSR issues are no longer preventing Newcastle challenging in the window.
And that the AC Milan star's arrival will not dent any hope of signing a couple of forwards, not least with a windfall due if Isak is sold.
It is an exciting time for Howe who insists: "We are in a position 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."
Howe has kept his current squad motivated throughout pre-season, albeit with no summer victories on the board. But rather than expressing frustration in Press conferences, Howe has backed the squad he has got to make the campaign another season to remember.
He said: "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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