Eddie Howe confirms Newcastle can NOT add in key position this summer – as Magpies near club record £70m Marc Guehi deal
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Eddie Howe says Newcastle CANNOT afford to sign players for the two priority positions he wanted this transfer window, having all but ruled out the signing of both a centre-back and a right winger in the coming days.
The Magpies are close to completing a £70million deal for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, with Howe telling his new sporting director Paul Mitchell that the England player is his first choice this summer.
However, the head coach had also hoped to add a new right winger, an area where he currently has Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy. Mail Sport reported last week that the club-record outlay for Guehi would leave no room for a wideman, with Howe confirming this on Tuesday.
Asked if the club could sign a centre-back and a right winger, he replied: ‘Probably not, no.’
The answer will frustrate supporters – and probably the manager too – given the need to strengthen the position since the Saudi Arabian takeover almost three years ago. Both Murphy and Almiron were signed under Mike Ashley’s regime.
Eddie Howe admits Newcastle will not be able to sign both a centre-back and a right winger
Newcastle are set to set a club record £70million deal for Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi
Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy will be Howe’s options on the right wing this season
But PSR restrictions have limited the club’s spending in this window and Howe has already admitted it has been the toughest period of his managerial career. However, he insists there is no problem with top-down support.
“There’s no problem with support or assistance, there never has been,” he said. “It’s the rules that we try to abide by and every decision we make has implications for the future, so we need to make sure we make sensible decisions and don’t put ourselves in a vulnerable position again down the road.”
“That’s why these decisions are complex. It’s not as simple as having support. There is support there. Everyone wants the same result at the football club, but it’s about making the best decisions for the long term.”
Meanwhile, Howe says Sandro Tonali will feel the need to repay Newcastle when he returns from a 10-month gambling ban. The Italian will be in the squad that travels to Nottingham Forest on Wednesday for the first time since October in the Carabao Cup.
Howe and the club have backed Tonali – he played just 12 games after joining from AC Milan for £52million – and the head coach said: ‘Sandro will obviously feel he wants to repay everyone at Newcastle for the faith we put in him when we signed him.
Howe believes Sando Tonali will be determined to repay the club when he returns from his suspension
The Italian is part of Newcastle’s squad for their Carabao Cup clash with Nottingham Forest
“When you go to a new club, there is always that desire to show everyone your qualities and support the team. I am sure that all those things are there for him. We just handled the situation as we thought was best and tried to support the person instead of seeing him as a footballer first.
“But he’s a very strong guy. He’s handled this situation so well. He’s shown real strength, dignity and integrity. He’s been really strong because he’s been isolated at times. It hasn’t always been easy for him. He’s had some tough moments and some lonely moments.
‘I think we will get a different player back, a mentally stronger player, someone who will enjoy his football and probably appreciate every moment, because it was taken away from him for a long time. I have seen enough Sandro in all these months to support his ability, I still like the player. I just hope he can come in quietly and add something to the team in his own way.’