Newcastle United do not just go out and sign players for the sake of it.
Even despite PIF’s millions, Newcastle’s recruitment policy since the takeover in late 2021 has been a hugely successful one.
Pretty much every signing the club have made prior to this window has hit the ground running.
While these are early days of course, both Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes scored on their debuts, while there is excitement surrounding Tino Livramento.
With FFP constraints, Newcastle cannot afford to gamble and it appears that is now the case when it comes to the signing of a new central defender.
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Newcastle may now not sign a centre-back this summer
Indeed, according to the Daily Telegraph, the club may shelve plans to sign a right-sided central defender.
Crystal Palace’s Joachim Andersen has frequently been linked but the club might make something of a U-turn in their pursuit of a fresh signing there this late into the window.
While, in an ideal world, it is claimed that Newcastle would be able to bring in a player on loan with an option to buy, a lack of options in this market for that type of deal does not make things easy.
Rather than simply going out and signing a player for the sake of it, Newcastle could keep their power dry.
Time for Jamaal Lascellles to step up
Eddie Howe has spoken positively about Jamaal Lascellles this summer.
While the idea of replacing Fabian Schar with the 29-year-old is hardly ideal given the Swiss international’s partnership with Sven Botman last season, it might be a case of needs must should an injury strike.
With Dan Burn and Paul Dummett able to cover on the left of a back two, a lot will come on Lascelles if he’s the main back-up to Schar on the right.
The pressure is on.