Alan Shearer has pointed to Newcastle United’s failed pursuit of Marc Guehi as a strong indication that the club likely has funds available for spending in the upcoming January transfer window. This came after manager Eddie Howe recently stated that the Magpies were not sitting on a “pot of money” ahead of the winter window. Howe’s comments came despite Newcastle’s serious attempts earlier this year to secure the services of Crystal Palace’s highly-rated defender, Guehi, with the club reportedly offering a significant transfer fee to land the player.
During a recent press briefing, Howe addressed the speculation surrounding Newcastle’s transfer budget, saying, “Firstly, I don’t think any bid (for Guehi) reached that level. That is far in excess of what the reality was. Secondly, with PSR, there is no pot of money that we have sitting there waiting to be spent.” Howe appeared to downplay the notion that the club was in a financial position to spend heavily, reinforcing the idea that Newcastle’s transfer activities would need to operate within the parameters of the Premier League’s financial regulations.
Despite Howe’s comments, Alan Shearer, the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, disagrees with the manager’s assessment of Newcastle’s financial flexibility. Speaking to Betfair, Shearer asserted that the failed Guehi pursuit is clear evidence that the club must have money available to spend, even if that wasn’t immediately obvious from Howe’s statements. Shearer remarked, “Clearly there’s cash available if they were bidding for Marc Guehi, but I don’t know if that would’ve meant selling one of the big hitters in the summer.” He went on to express his frustration with the Premier League’s financial regulations, particularly the Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR), which govern clubs’ spending limits. Shearer openly criticized the rules, saying, “I don’t like the PSR rules and I don’t think they’re fair or right, but that’s the situation we’re in.” His comments reflect a belief that the club’s financial potential might be stifled by the constraints of these regulations, despite the apparent willingness to invest in top talent.
In addition to his comments about the club’s finances, Shearer also shared his thoughts on Newcastle’s recent form, particularly following their 2-0 defeat to West Ham United, which cost them the chance to break into the Premier League’s top six. Shearer expressed concern that the Magpies’ inconsistency was hurting their prospects, and he felt the timing of the international break was detrimental to their momentum. He noted, “Newcastle are having an up-and-down season,” acknowledging the fluctuating performances but emphasizing the missed opportunity. According to Shearer, the international break came at the worst possible moment, disrupting the team’s rhythm and halting a strong run of form. He explained, “The international break came at the wrong time because they had a bit of momentum, were getting results, and they didn’t need the break. They didn’t need players flying here, there, and everywhere.”
Shearer believed that the disruption caused by the break impacted the team’s performance against West Ham, with the Magpies failing to maintain the level of play they had shown in previous weeks. He pointed out that after the first 10 to 15 minutes of the match, Newcastle’s play significantly dropped off, and they were not able to replicate the intensity and quality that had characterized their recent performances. “Clearly, that impacted them against West Ham because, after 10/15 minutes, they were nowhere near as good as what they have been in the past month,” Shearer remarked. His assessment underlined a feeling that Newcastle had the chance to build on their momentum, but the timing of the international break severely hampered their ability to capitalize on that opportunity.
Overall, Shearer’s reflections combine concern over the club’s financial constraints with frustration over external factors affecting their season. The failed bid for Guehi hints at an underlying financial capacity that might be restricted by regulations, while the defeat to West Ham serves as a reminder of how external disruptions can influence the team’s progress. For Shearer, it’s clear that Newcastle’s fortunes are influenced by both internal decision-making and the broader context of the Premier League’s financial landscape.