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As the January transfer window edges ever closer, three dreaded words could return on the radar for Newcastle United.

Indeed, Financial Fair Play (FFP) played a part this summer, albeit Newcastle were still able to make four first-team signings during the window.

A limiting factor in exactly how much the club can spend, the sale of Allan Saint-Maximin to the Saudi Pro League helped ease concerns.

Still, one sale isn’t going to change the financial landscape forever, albeit revenue made from Champions League participation should surely help.

In fact, David Ornstein of The Athletic has recently provided a rather sobering reminder of it.

Newcastle’s FFP situation: David Ornstein shares latest insight

The noted journalist was conducting a Q&A on The Athletic and was asked whether or not Newcastle would have to sell a big-name player this summer in order to spend themselves.

“No doubt the UCL money and sponsorship revenues are providing Newcastle with a major financial uplift, Callum, but they’ve invested quite heavily and the only notable sales have been ASM and Chris Wood,” he wrote.

“So, like most of the top clubs, it will require some departures to ease the FFP situation and give them more muscle in the market.”

Opinion: Bruno Guimaraes could be one to go

In an ideal world, Newcastle wouldn’t need to sell players. Still, that does not look realistic and just because the club could be forced to cash in doesn’t mean the end of the world.

Liverpool, after all, sold Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona before using those funds to buy Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker – two players who took them to the Champions League and Premier League titles.

While there is little to suggest Bruno Guimaraes will be leaving in the short-term, reports of a release clause in his recently-signed new contract would make that a distinct possibility.

If that is activated, the only thing the club can do is reinvest that money. Given their success in the transfer market thus far, that at least looks likely.