Newcastle United have endured a frustrating summer in the transfer market.
While Newcastle United have added to their squad in some key areas this summer, it would be foolish to suggest that it’s been an easy few months.
Indeed, Newcastle have missed out on some key transfer targets, while star man Alexander Isak is seemingly doing his very best to leave the club.
There are, of course, reasons to be positive. Anthony Elanga, Aaron Ramsdale, Malick Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey all bring depth to a Newcastle United squad who will need to balance Premier League commitments with a European campaign.
Still, losing out on the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Hugo Ekitike was a blow. There has been frustration with owners PIF too, with Newcastle often looking as if their decision-making in the transfer market moves at glacial speed.
With that in mind, Geordie Boot Boys spoke to football finance expert Kieran Maguire.
Newcastle United chairman Yasir Al-rumayyan is seen at a golf event in Scotland.
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Expert explains Newcastle United’s transfer market struggles
Maguire suggested that a supposed lack of urgency from the Newcastle United owners is unlikely to have any material impact on a potential deal.
“It’s clear that Newcastle as a club and as a fanbase are fairly frustrated over what has been a relatively quiet summer transfer window by their standards,” he said.
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“The rumours of PIF having the final sign-off in terms of transfer decisions are perhaps a bit overplayed. If a player has agreed terms and Newcastle have agreed a fee with another club, there is no reason why 48 hours one way or another is going to scupper a deal.”
Though Newcastle are in a strong PSR position now, that sadly isn’t the only factor in play. While the club are making impressive strides to become one of the best in England, rival teams such as Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea offer much more in the way of recent achievements.
As such, they are perhaps more alluring to players in the market.
“I think the frustration is that Newcastle want to fish in a different pool than they have in recent years and be competitive with the ‘Big Six’ but are finding it difficult,” added Maguire.
“From a PSR perspective, they have got wriggle room, so they can pay higher wages. But there is still the allure of the ‘Big Six’ clubs that they have to contend with in terms of recent achievements winning the larger trophies.
“That makes them a more seductive proposition to players and their representatives.”
What Eddie Howe has said about Newcastle United’s transfer struggles
Eddie Howe has refused to blame the Newcastle United owners for their struggles in the transfer market, which feels wise.
While it would no doubt be nice for supporters to see a touch more urgency, there’s clearly not a lot they can do if a player simply chooses to go to another club.
“There’s been a lot reported, some very accurate and some not so,” said the Newcastle United manager.
“But through no fault of anyone working behind the scenes, we haven’t been able to close some deals that at one stage looked very close but just got away from us.
“That can happen to any deal until it’s signed, sealed, and delivered. The pool is very small and everyone is fighting for the same players.”
Newcastle’s wage structure may need to be changed in the coming years to attract bigger players but, again, there is a limit to what the club can do given the Premier League’s PSR limitations.