Eddie Howe delivers Newcastle United summer transfer window warning

Eddie Howe has moved to manage Newcastle United fans’ expectations ahead of the summer transfer window.
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Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has warned fans not to expect “wholesale changes” during this summer’s transfer window.

Transfer speculation is a common theme around these parts with the Magpies 80% owned by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.

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United splashed out around £90million in January to bring in Kieran Trippier, Chris Wood, Bruno Guimaraes, Matt Targett and Dan Burn to significantly bolster their Premier League survival hopes.

But ahead of the summer - and another season of top-flight football - Howe has moved to manage supporters’ expectations.

‘Not the revolution that everyone thinks it will be’

Howe explained: “I am happy with this squad while acknowledging that time never stands still.

“You have to continue to improve and evolve so I have no problem looking outward and saying we do need certain things but I do not think it will be the revolution that everyone thinks it will be. It can’t be because we are under financial restrictions.

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“It is not just a case of signing anybody and that would never be the way I work anyway because every individual has to fit within the structure of the team and makes the team better, not just a very good individual. That is fundamental to our future.

“So, for all those different reasons, I do not think it will ever be a case of wholesale changes.”

Financial Fair Play explained

Howe again referenced Financial Fair Play (FFP) as an issue that will limit United’s spending power.

FFP was introduced by UEFA in 2009 to try and reduce the amount of debt and bank loans in European football.

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Essentially, FFP is there to prevent clubs from spending more than what they earn and protect clubs’ long-term futures.

That said, FFP does allow room for clubs to make a loss of up to £105m over a three-year period.

“It doesn’t help in terms of the media perception,” Howe later added.

“But, yes, Financial Fair Play is now in full power in the Premier League so you have to fit into those structures. We will fall in line like every other club.

“Certainly, the perception is one thing and the reality is very different so we will have to be very smart with what we do.”

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