It was a fittingly bizarre conclusion to a tumultuous summer for Newcastle United. The sight of Kieran Trippier, a player whose future with the club is still uncertain, awkwardly hoisting the Sela Cup after a victory over French side Brest, symbolized the unexpected changes that have swept through St James’ Park during the offseason.
This summer has been anything but ordinary for Newcastle. The club has faced a wave of uncertainty, amplified by the constraints imposed by the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability regulations (PSR). These financial restrictions have clipped the wings of a club with soaring ambitions, forcing them to navigate a complex landscape as they prepare for the new season.
The departure of co-owner Amanda Staveley and the appointment of Paul Mitchell as director of football were just the beginning of the upheaval. The frantic efforts in June to comply with PSR have left their mark, and the club is still finding its footing as they look ahead to the challenges of the upcoming season. Concerns that head coach Eddie Howe raised during the pre-season tour in Germany continue to linger, casting a shadow over the club’s preparations.
July was a subdued month for Newcastle, and as the transfer window enters its final three weeks, all eyes are on Paul Mitchell and how he will navigate the market. According to sources close to the club, Newcastle is expected to be “very busy” in these final weeks, despite a sluggish summer market that has affected the entire Premier League. The lack of movement has made it difficult to offload unwanted players and has tightened the financial margins for clubs across the board.
“We thought the dominoes would start to fall, but it just hasn’t happened. It’s been the most difficult summer I’ve ever known,” one Premier League executive told *i* last week, capturing the frustration felt by many clubs. For Newcastle, the challenges posed by PSR remain significant. Insiders suggest that these regulations severely limit the club’s ability to sign game-changing players unless they can generate funds through sales.
The experience in June has clearly instilled a new level of caution within the club, and despite the ties to Saudi Arabia and the PIF-owned clubs there, Newcastle isn’t receiving any special treatment. Howe has adjusted his expectations, now anticipating just one new signing, down from the original plan of two. The recent arrival of promising young forward William Osula has slightly eased the pressure, but the focus has now shifted to Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, who has become the primary target.
Negotiations for Guehi have been described as positive and optimistic, with both clubs working to bridge a significant £10 million gap in their valuations. If they can meet in the middle at £55 million with achievable add-ons, the deal is likely to go through, given Guehi’s interest in the move and the fact that personal terms are nearly agreed upon. The fact that Newcastle is willing to break their transfer record to secure Guehi speaks volumes about their intent.
However, Howe remains pragmatic about the situation. “It’s about having a never-say-die spirit,” he emphasized. “Money doesn’t buy you those things; it’s the work, the interactions with the players, and having a really tight-knit group that does. Of course, it’s nice to evolve your team and have the further resources which we can’t really utilize currently. But I wouldn’t change it. I think the position we’re in currently, we have to make the best of what we have, and I guarantee you we will work towards that.”
The recent injury to Fabian Schar, who limped off during the win against Brest with what appeared to be a minor twisted ankle, underscores just how fragile Newcastle’s situation is. The optimism that accompanied the early days of the PIF takeover, when Newcastle was touted as the richest club in the world, now seems a distant memory. The reality is that PIF, as long-term investors, require any money spent to yield tangible benefits down the line, and the constraints of PSR have only added to the club’s headaches.
“I’ve always said throughout my coaching career, money does not guarantee anything,” Howe reiterated. “My belief and philosophy have always been that it’s about the quality of your group, it’s about the unity you can generate.”
As Newcastle looks to navigate these choppy waters, the club’s ability to adapt and thrive under pressure will be put to the test. The coming weeks will be crucial in shaping their season, and how they respond to the challenges ahead could define their trajectory for years to come.
