Newcastle United hold major transfer meeting - the night before Chelsea draw

Talks over Newcastle United’s transfer budget for next season took place last night, head coach Eddie Howe confirmed.

Howe’s men today rounded off their remarkable campaign with a 1-1 draw at Chelsea, and planning is already underway for the return of Champions League football to St James’ Park.

The Magpies head coach admitted the reward of European qualification has bolstered his budget - but warned recruitment will be impacted by Financial Fair Play and player’s salary demands.

“We had discussions last night – those discussions did take place,” Howe revealed. “I don’t think a budget is ever outlined because there’s always so many variables to it, but we certainly know where we stand.

“Is the budget big? Well, when you’re sat in my shoes, it’s never as big as you want it to be. Financial Fair Play, as I always say, will impact what we do this summer.

“Certainly, without Champions League football, it would have been very difficult for us to have done much in the transfer market at all. The fact we have that has given us a bit of a lift.

“I always say this – I think the most important people at the football club are the players we already have. I’m the type of manager that will try to get the best out of everybody here who is already under our employment. Then, we’re looking to add quality players.

“But it’s not just the transfer fees (that are an issue), it’s also the wages. We’re not huge players of wages in the Premier League, so the big clubs will all dwarf us in terms of that. That makes it hard to attract the very, very best players on the market.”

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