Gary Neville now tells PIF to make transfer statement at Newcastle

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Newcastle United have been busy in the transfer market this summer.

Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall have all arrived to strengthen the first-team squad, while young Yankuba Minteh is one for the future.

Still, as has been the case throughout PIF’s time at St James’ Park, Newcastle have stayed away from some superstar names.

While FFP issues surely play a part in that, Newcastle have focused on signing players perhaps below that very top level who can grow and develop under Eddie Howe.

Gary Neville, however, believes that soon may need to change.

Gary Neville says Newcastle soon need to make a statement in the transfer market

Indeed, the Sky Sports pundit was speaking on his podcast after watching Newcastle fail to put the game to bed against Liverpool on Sunday.

Despite being in total control and leading against ten-man opposition, the second goal never came and allowed Liverpool to stay in the game, meaning Darwin Nunez’s late brace proved fatal.

“I think Newcastle are on a good trajectory under Eddie Howe – the way the new owners have managed it has been perfect,” he said.

“They’ve built a strong foundation. But at some point they will have to add the quality of player in the front part of the pitch.

“It may make Howe’s stomach churn a little as that kind of player won’t do the transition work out of possession that he’ll want. Newcastle are the best team out of possession in the Premier League. They all fight for one another.

“But when you bring in a talented player sometimes they believe they don’t need to work the hard yards back. But what you get back in return is really high quality and clinical finishing. Newcastle’s front players lacked that ability to kill the game off vs Liverpool – that’s the question that will come for Howe at some point.”

Next summer feels like a huge one for Newcastle

After a season in the Champions League and one more year into the PIF project, it may soon be time to go big on a player.

While there has been investment of course, the club’s £60m transfer record looks relatively modest against the teams they’re trying to compete against.

Next summer, all being well, it may be time to enter the £100m bracket should FFP allow.

Clearly, there’s no guarantee that would work but it is a balance Howe needs to find. Though he’s all about the collective, a higher quality of individual could complicate matters, as Neville points out.

Still, such has been the success of the recruitment since the takeover, you’d have to back the club to get it right.