The players Newcastle United will sign for Champions League return after £200m success

Eddie Howe insists Newcastle United’s return to the Champions League won’t entice any wild spending during this summer’s transfer window.

The Magpies ended their 20-year absence from Europe’s most elite competition against Leicester City last night after securing the point they required to fend off late pressure from Liverpool.

Not only does European football bring in extra revenue, but it also places added demands on Howe’s squad as they compete across four competitions next season.

Since acquiring the Magpies in October 2021, the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, PCP Partners and RB Sports and Media have backed Howe with over £200million on new players.

United have adopted a more modest approach in the three transfer windows since by recruiting the likes of Dan Burn, Matt Targett and Nick Pope whilst spotting oversea talent such as Bruno Guimaraes, Sven Botman and Alexander Isak.

Newcastle have stayed clear of signing superstars, and Howe is expected to maintain the same approach in an effort to retain squad unity.

Howe said: “It’s been fundamental to our success and it’s been very, very good. I’ve managed a lot of teams over the years now and it would be right up there in terms of mentality, togetherness, spirit, the right mix of laughter and joviality, but then focus on the work when the work is there

“You need a balance of both over a long season. The leaders of the group have really pushed the standards and the culture of the training ground and the environment, and anyone that’s come into the group has sort of moulded and adapted to that culture, which has been great for me to see.

“I think the biggest challenge for us is to maintain that and improve that while adding to the squad. But as I’ve said many times, it won’t be huge numbers, it will be trying to select the right players who can make us better.

“It’s going to be important for us, we have got to try to get it right and that’s going to underpin our success, really. I think we’ve been really, really good in the three transfer windows so far since I’ve been here.

“The challenge gets harder and more difficult because now we’ve become a better team, there are fewer players who would make us better, so it’s going to be a big window for us.”

Asked about how many new signings he’ll look for, Howe said: “It won’t be huge numbers - I don’t think it can be. We don’t have the ability to spend the money that people will think we have, so we’re going to have to be smart. It will be a small group of players, but hopefully ones that can make a difference.”

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