Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has admitted that Financial Fair Play (FFP) will hamper the club’s ability to disrupt the transfer market for “a number of years”.
Newcastle’s takeover last autumn was depicted in some circles as a potential game changer for the transfer market, with the Saudi PIF owners predicted to spend huge sums transforming the team in short measure.
But the reality is different. Newcastle have made a substantial investment in players in the last 10 months but do not have limitless funds to transform the team, partly due to FFP.
The club have signed three players so far this summer – defenders Sven Botman and Matty Targett and goalkeeper Nick Pope – but efforts to strengthen their attack have proved frustrating. Howe admitted on Friday they were “no closer” to adding to their squad but said he expected the team to be “active” in the market.
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With closer to £30m available to spend up front, the club have tried to structure deals to include future payments. The Pope deal involves paying over several years, with a relatively small amount “up front”.
Howe also confirmed the loan market would be one that the club would exploit, with Chelsea forward Armando Broja on the radar.
It may be a similar case of boxing smart when it comes to recruitment for a number of years.
“Hopefully it tells you that what I was trying to tell you at the back end of last season was the truth. That’s what I’ll always try and give you, to the best of my ability,” he said of the size of Newcastle’s transfer budget.
“Financial Fair Play impacts us and will continue to impact us, I think, for a number of years. We haven’t got the free rein, the free hand, that maybe has been perceived within the media, that we can go and sign who we want and pay extortionate fees and wages.
“We’re not in that position and I don’t think we will be for some period of time. We’re having to be creative and smart and try and make the right additions within the financial constraints that we have.”
Part of the problem is that it is a difficult market for many aspirational clubs this summer.
“There is a very small pool for us to recruit from,” Howe added.
“Of those small pool of players, the details of the transfer have to fit both sides. That’s not always been easy to align so it’s about the right player – it’s not about signing any player. It’s very easy to sign this name, that name.
“It’s got to be the one that we think elevates our team the best so whether that means holding our nerve or whatever expression you want to use, it’s so important that we try and sign the right one and the best fit for Newcastle.”
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