Demba Ba praises ‘smart’ approach by Newcastle United in transfer market
The ex-Toon striker has opened up about his former side
Demba Ba has hailed the cautious approach taken by Newcastle United’s mega-rich owners. Despite becoming the richest club in world football, Toon chiefs have refused to be taken advantage of in the transfer market.
Amanda Staveley promised a “steady build” following the sale last October. So far, around £150million has been spent on new arrivals - the majority of whom arrived in January to help avoid relegation.
More signings are expected before the window slams shut on September 1 but the lavish spending many expected has not transpired. For context, this weekend’s opponents Nottingham Forest - recently promoted from the Championship - have forked out twice as much as the Magpies.
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Speaking to iNews, Ba, who enjoyed a fine 18-month stint on Tyneside a decade ago, praised the meticulous approach shown by his former club. He did, however, question what the end goal is for the new regime.
“It looks like a long-term thing for them,” Ba said. “Everyone was expecting something like Manchester City from Newcastle but actually, no.
“My question is: What are the long-term goals? For City, for PSG you understood straight away what their goal was – we need to win the Champions League, no matter how. We must build our legacy and how much will it cost us? We don’t care.
“With Newcastle United, it’s like they came in, everyone expected them to splash the cash and kill the transfer market but no. They are building a team rather than buying individuals and I would like to know what their objectives are this season, five years down the road and 10 years down the road.
“I’m sure they would like to win the Champions League but the way they are moving forward they are building the foundations. And I think it’s smart.”
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