THE message that accompanied last week’s publication of Newcastle’s accounts was clear – we’d love to be able to do some big-money transfer business this month, but because of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules, we’re not going to be able to.
In the space of 24 hours, both Darren Eales and Eddie Howe could not have been clearer when it came to the limitations being imposed on the Magpies.
So, it feels as though we can certainly rule out a repeat of last January, when Newcastle brought in long-term target Anthony Gordon in a £45m deal with Everton.
Surely, though, with the club’s chronic injury issues showing no sign of improving, particularly in midfield, it is inconceivable that Newcastle will do nothing this month?
Maybe not inconceivable, but fairly unlikely. As Howe admitted at his press conference last Friday, there is an acceptance that long-term transfer strategy might have to be tweaked this month to solve some short-term issues.
Loaning a midfielder to the end of the season might not really fit with Newcastle’s long-term aims, but it would help solve some immediate issues.
The problem is that Newcastle’s ownership group do not want to agree to a deal to any cost, hence their steadfast refusal to meet Manchester City’s loan demands for Kalvin Phillips.
The Magpies could have signed Phillips at the start of the month if they agreed to pay around £7m in a loan fee, and also committed to a permanent deal for the England international in the summer.
They didn’t want to agree to either demand though, hence Phillips’ presence on the Manchester City bench at St James’ at the weekend.
A deal for Phillips remains possible, although there is now strong competition from Tottenham, Crystal Palace and Juventus.
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Alternative options have been assessed, but again, if they are going to agree to a short-term fix, the Newcastle hierarchy want to keep their financial outlay to a minimum.
Could players be leaving this month? As part of his media narrative last week, Eales explained how the FFP system makes selling a player pretty much essential if you want to make meaningful long-term investment.
At some stage (probably the summer), Newcastle might well decide to cash in on one of their main assets (potentially Bruno Guimaraes).
Given the lack of current options within the first-team squad, though, it is surely inconceivable that happens this month. Instead, if there are departures, they will involve fringe players, with Isaac Hayden set to head into the Championship.
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