Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has shed some light on the ongoing speculation surrounding Alexander Isak’s future, emphatically stating that the striker is not for sale. In a bid to reinforce Newcastle’s position, Howe revealed the club’s intentions to exploit the financial anxieties plaguing other Premier League sides due to their Profitability and Sustainability Regulations (PSR) concerns.
Reflecting on the woes of last summer, Howe expressed his determination to avoid the hasty decisions Newcastle faced when they were compelled to consider selling talents like Anthony Gordon. Instead, the club navigated their PSR constraints with deals involving Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson, although they did suffer a dearth of high-profile arrivals.
Addressing the impending transfer window, Howe stated, “There are essentially two distinct transfer periods now. The PSR deadline is a significant factor impacting clubs in different ways, and we fully intend to utilise it to our advantage, just as others have done with us previously.”
Having gone three transfer windows without notable signings, Howe is eager to establish Newcastle as proactive players in the market, targeting clubs like Aston Villa and Bournemouth which might need to offload players before the June 30 deadline. He is keen to bolster his squad with a goalkeeper, centre-back, and a right-winger ahead of the team’s pre-season preparations.
However, Howe remains realistic about the challenges of the transfer market. “It’s fantastic that the window opens on June 1, but it doesn’t always align with the logistics of getting the right players in early. That said, our goal remains to secure quality signings rather than making premature decisions,” he added.
Parallel to potential incoming deals is the spectre of interest in Newcastle’s existing stars, such as Isak. Howe is resolute in his desire to retain key players: “We wish to keep our best talent at St James’ Park. My focus is firmly on strengthening, not losing our vital players.”
As Newcastle gear up for a potentially transformative summer, Howe’s strategic approach signals a determined shift in their transfer policy, one that aims to strengthen their squad while keenly observing their competitors’ vulnerabilities.
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