They were four words that summed up the strange state of play at Newcastle United.
The club’s co-owner Mehrdad Ghodoussi, responding to a jumpy supporter on social media questioning the relative lack of transfer business at St James’ Park, wrote that “patience is a virtue”.
For a club that was supposed to disrupt the transfer market with limitless funds this summer, it has certainly felt like a low key start to the trading period.
The conversion of Matt Targett to a permanent signing after a loan spell is welcome but the club have sold a vision of challenging for the Champions League soon to their new signings. But they will need a striker, centre-back and midfielder to strengthen the spine of their side to get close to the European places next year and those positions don’t come cheap.
Related Stories
Newcastle's transfer window: Why Botman and Ekitike make more sense than big move for Paqueta16 June, 2022
Newcastle's 'humble gladiator' Cheick Tiote, remembered five years on: 'I lost a brother'04 June, 2022
Newcastle season review: Saudis and Howe deliver results, and provoke moral questions23 May, 2022Newcastle’s vision is colliding with the reality of a summer transfer market where their desire to do early business has been slowed by several factors – the chief of which is opposition clubs and player agents attempting to extract the maximum possible value from the club’s newly rich status.
Progress should arrive soon. There is confidence among the hierarchy that a methodical approach will unlock a market that is proving tough to crack as clubs, once again, apply a “Newcastle tax” (bumping up asking prices for the club) to possible outgoings.
It is understood that more talks are planned in the early part of this week to unlock the impasse over long-term target Hugo Ekitike, the promising but raw France under-20 striker who plays for Reims.
Defender Sven Botman, of Lille, is also open to a move to the North East and the framework of a deal has been agreed but progress remains slow.
In addition to that Everton remain braced for a bid for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with the club vulnerable to bids as they look to satisfy financial fair play regulations. Newcastle are yet to move but retain a watching brief on the forward.
The problem is squaring the reality of Newcastle’s situation – which is hampered by financial fair play and means a spend of £100m would be at the top end of expectations – and the belief of opposition clubs that they have the deepest pockets in football.
One rival Premier League executive told i that they thought Newcastle would be one of, if not the, biggest net spender in the top flight. Newcastle insist they’ll recruit with intelligence rather than throwing money at the situation.
More from Football
There is optimism inside the club that any frustration will be short-lived. A senior source at the club said Newcastle were working methodically to bring in players who would add long-term value. The deal cited by many is the one that brought Bruno Guimaeres from Lyon to Newcastle – the right player for the right price at the right team. “The team will be stronger by the end of the transfer window,” they said.
Parallel to the first team recruitment, Dan Ashworth is laying foundations for longer term success and the club are expanding their support staff ‘massively’.
Former player Peter Ramage has been appointed to help run the club’s loan department alongside loans manager Shola Ameobi. The club are now planning to beef up their medical team with an assistant first team doctor, as well as advertising for academy scouts as they look to improve their coverage in Teesside and muscle in on the Middlesbrough and Hartlepool regions.
from Football | News and analysis from the Premier League and beyond | iNews https://ift.tt/yTZMUm9
Post a Comment