‘He thought’ - Eddie Howe ‘let down’ as concern emerges over Newcastle United takeover
Newcastle United failed to land top target Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace in the summer transfer window
Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith has questioned whether the Newcastle United project is still alive following the summer transfer window.
A long-winded saga saw the Magpies fail to land top target Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. Ultimately, Newcastle did not make a significant signing that would improve the starting line-up.
The underwhelming summer triggered discontent among Newcastle fans, with sporting director Paul Mitchell grilled by the media to explain the shortcomings last week. Eddie Howe himself admitted the Saudi-backed project will take longer than expected due to FFP/PSR restrictions handicapping the club.
Ex-shareholder Amanda Staveley outlined on arrival Newcastle’s goal to win the Premier League within five to 10 years. That aim has been reset and Gunners legend Smith believes Howe will have doubts going forward.
“I do wonder what Eddie Howe will be thinking at the moment in terms of where the club's going and how quickly they can become one of the forces in English football,” he told Casino Apps. “It's going to be harder than we all thought and maybe he thought when they qualified for the Champions League.
“I don't think they can get in that top four this season. It's been a bit of a stuttery start for Newcastle but they got a really good result against Spurs. They've got some very good players.
“Thankfully for Howe, they've managed to keep the likes of Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimaraes. That’s a boost. I think that they'll be looking for a European place but not a Champions League one.”
Smith went as far as to suggest that Toon chiefs had “let down” Howe over the summer. He added: “You would think that Eddie Howe would feel let down after the club failed to deliver him Marc Guehi. The deal was played out quite publicly and, when the price was rising, it only seemed that Newcastle were a few million away from getting the deal over the line.
“I’m surprised that they didn’t sign him given that Guehi was his number one choice. When you heard that Newcastle had upped their bid, you thought that it was only a matter of time before he signed. Did Newcastle have a second or third choice for that central defence position?
“If Eddie badly wanted a central defender, well-run clubs typically have backup options. Perhaps he was the club’s top target and, if they couldn’t get him, they didn’t want anyone else.”