Newcastle's shift in transfer policy is now evident but are they setting themselves up for a fall?
Newcastle's transfer policy is exciting but it could leave them lacking experience
Newcastle's transfer policy is exciting but it could leave them lacking experience(Image: Getty Images)
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Newcastle United are set to confirm the arrival of Ajax teenager Sean Steur imminently, with the Dutch youth international arriving in a deal worth up to £23million.
Steur was undergoing a medical on Wednesday and is expected to be confirmed as the Magpies' third signing of the summer after the arrivals of goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen from Stade Reims and winger Bazoumana Toure from Hoffenheim.
All three players are aged 20 or younger, and with Newcastle also chasing the £43million signing of Switzerland's 20-year-old superstar Johan Manzambi, too, it means Newcastle could be spending around £133million on kids.
Albeit talented kids but it does pose the question of whether Newcastle need to add more experience, too. Before we get to that, it is right to point out that this sort of transfer policy has been needed.
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The Magpies were burnt last summer by trying to compete with the big six clubs for players and were consistently beaten to some of their top targets.
They also spent an entire summer running away from selling Alexander Isak to Liverpool before finally succumbing to a deadline day move which saw the Swedish international depart for a British record transfer fee of £125m.
That backed Newcastle into a corner in terms of finding a replacement and once it became clear the Magpies would not be qualifying for this season's Champions League, there was an acceptance that they can no longer be scared of selling their best players and that trading players had to become an integral part of their model.
Almost five years into PIF-backed ownership, Newcastle have made strides commercially to improve their revenue but the gap between themselves and the big six remains huge.
Without Champions League finances, bridging that gap becomes even harder under the current spending rules - namely because those clubs can offer Newcastle transfer targets higher wages and can also offer some of their players higher wages, too, as they have just found with Sandro Tonali.
Newcastle have brought in a combined £175million including add-ons for the sales of Tonali and Anthony Gordon and have set about reinvesting it in players with high potential and huge sell-on value, with sporting director Ross Wilson recognising the value in finding those players outside of the Premier League and investing the necessary resources to do that well.
It is a risk but it can work. Brighton, Brentford and Bournemouth have all proven that in recent seasons and the club believe Eddie Howe and his coaching staff have shown they can improve these players to take them to the next level.
It is a sensible business decision which allows them to evolve on the pitch while they try and close the revenue gap commercially off the pitch.
But in the here and now there are genuine fears it leaves Newcastle looking a little inexperienced. Of the six-man leadership group last season, Kieran Trippier and Jamaal Lascelles have left and Nick Pope could follow them out of the door.
Jacob Murphy shouldn't get in the strongest XI and there is an argument England World Cup hero Dan Burn wouldn't either aged 34, although both men should remain important squad members next season.
Joelinton will be 30 by the time the season kicks off and Fabian Schar (34), Yoane Wissa (29) and Harvey Barnes (28) will all be seen as elder statesmen in the Newcastle squad.
But say the outfield XI vs Liverpool is Livramento, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Guimaraes, Miley, Manzambi; Elanga, Toure, Osula, barring Guimaraes there is not much experience or leadership in that squad.
When Howe decided not to start any of his leadership group in the 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth at home last season, it was one of the most rudderless performances of the season. It is why many feel experience should not be discounted in the summer transfer market alongside the exciting arrivals of some of European football's best young talents.
For example, Newcastle are in the market for a right-back this summer. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is set to be available at around £25million from West Ham United.
The former Manchester United defender would bring vast Premier League experience, has just shone in the World Cup with DR Congo and is excellent defensively, even if he is a bit limited going forward.
He would be perfect competition for Livramento, who missed over half of Newcastle's games last season through injury, but at 28 and little sell-on value, it would likely not be a deal the Magpies would consider.
That is not to say that is the right or wrong thing to do and there would certainly be excitement if Newcastle land a top young full-back this summer. But it is an example to illustrate there perhaps has to be an exception to the rule. Experienced heads to guide Newcastle's young stars.
The shift in transfer policy has been much needed but Newcastle have to get the balance right. An experienced arrival - at the right price or if the opportunity presents itself - alongside some of the young talent already through the door would not go amiss.