Eddie Howe lays out Newcastle transfer plans amid worrying Bruno Guimaraes admission
Newcastle are planning to be busy in the transfer market under their Saudi owners but thta could potentially put the futures of Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak in severe doubt
Eddie Howe has insisted Newcastle can afford to buy big - but only if they trade players out as well.
The Newcastle boss is exploring ways to improve his squad with Sporting Director Paul Mitchell. There will be a buyers market for stars such as Bruno Guimaraes, attracting interest from Manchester City and could raise £80m, and £120m rated Alexander Isak has turned heads across Europe with his five goals in seven games.
Saturday’s opponents Brentford offer the Geordies a lesson in how to build a bright squad with “smart” signings that Howe says are needed. Newcastle start the weekend in a disappointing 12th place in a tight league and needing to climb higher to keep everyone happy.
Howe says he can’t guarantee his stars will turn up on top form every game because there is “always a story behind the player” but is looking for more consistency, to follow up a good performance against Liverpool. The Geordies have their spending power clipped by Premier League PSR rules, and Howe says he can’t offer clarity on what he will do in January.
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“It doesn't mean we can't hopefully make big signings and players for the here and now who are ready to play, but maybe not all under that category at the same time.
“Our revenue streams aren’t where we want them to be ultimately, we’re trying to grow them. So I think trading in and out is going to be essential. Hopefully, it’s not players that we’re forced to sell like. Hopefully, it’s in a more stable setting, but you can’t guarantee anything.”
“We will try and do our best.There’ll be a lot of twists and turns, but the want from everyone internally is to try and improve the squad. If we can do, we will. If we can’t, we won’t.
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“Signings like Will Osula, which was very much with a view to potential in the future, a player we really like, will be a different kind of signing to Alex, who was brought in for the here and now to hit the ground running straight away. We're going to have to be smart and that's the key thing.
Howe says his players proved they have the quality to match the elite and he wants it consistently, after poor results against smaller clubs. He said: “In some games we have not performed our best. It has been a big frustration for me.
“The better players in the league are the better players because they repeatedly do it. It’s easier to do it on the odd occasion here and there and show how good you are in phases. But I have to say, last year and the year before, the players were consistent in that respect.
“It’s harder for the more creative players to find that consistency. Teams will try to work out plans against you to try and nullify your strengths. But then you have to keep evolving your game and find ways to be effective.
“There are different reasons behind every individual’s performance. There is always a story behind the player - it’s not as clear as just, 'perform'. The conditions have to be right and the players have to feel right. Everything has to be right for a player now to be at their best consistently. That’s what we’re trying to help them with. That’s everyone in the team, I’m not pointing fingers at any individuals. We all want the same thing and will work towards that.”
Sven Botman is close to a comeback after his long term knee injury but Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon were fatigued by the Liverpool game. Howe will make changes.
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