Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said on Friday that signing the likes of Neymar or Cristiano Ronaldo was beyond the club’s reach, despite the financial strength of the Saudi owners.
Newcastle, whose 80% stake is owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, has invested more than £250m ($2.5bn) in new players over the last three transfer windows.
With Howe’s team ranked third in the Premier League before receiving the Arsenal this weekend, the ‘Magpies’ look well positioned to clinch a lucrative spot in the Champions League.
🗣 “They’re both hugely valuable to us. I think both players have respected the healthy competition there is between each other.”
Eddie Howe on Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak ⤵️
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) May 5, 2023
The northern club’s incredible transformation since Howe’s arrival has made the team an attractive destination for top-level players, most recently Neymar Paris Saint-Germainand Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo, from Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia, were cited as possible signings.
But when asked on Friday about the possibility of attracting some of the best players in the world to Newcastle, Howe told reporters: “Better find out before they snap.”
“We couldn’t afford these players because they are the best in the world. We will never be in a position to pay for those transfers and wages today, so we have to go under the radar, find youngsters and develop them into what they can become.” Howe.
The coach assured that good deals were made in the signing of goalkeeper Nick Pope and full-back Kieran Trippier for relatively low prices, although he spent larger amounts to sign Bruno Guimarães, Sven Botman, Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon.
Gunning for the Gunners. 👊
⚫️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/949lNyNwXK
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) May 4, 2023
High profile signings for players of Neymar’s caliber seem out of reach for Newcastle at the moment, but Howe knows that won’t stop speculation about it. “This kind of speculation has existed since day one of the purchase (of the club). Naturally, everyone assumed that the biggest names in world football would go to Newcastle,” he added.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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