Newcastle United’s recruitment since the takeover has been nothing short of exemplary.
The only question marks you could possibly raise about the signings PIF have made are the £25m spent on Chris Wood and the £40m paid to sign Anthony Gordon.
Wood hardly proved prolific but did score crucial goals as Newcastle shot up the Premier League last season and, clearly, Gordon cannot yet be judged after only a few months.
Indeed, Eddie Howe has built a side seemingly free of any superstar ego, focusing instead on the collective. To do that while signing quality players is not an easy balancing act but, so far at least, Newcastle have managed it.
Which is why it is disappointing to hear reports about another supposed target.
Mohammed Salisu left out of Southampton squad due to commitment problems
According to The Athletic, Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu has been left out of recent squads due to doubts over his commitment to the club.
The Ghana international has not played since Saints drew with Tottenham before the international break despite reportedly being free of injury.
Described as “rock solid” by Alan Shearer in the past, the 23-year-old will soon enter the final 12 months of his contract and was linked with a move to St James’ Park as recently as last month.
Would Howe take a risk on such a player?
While Gordon pushed to leave Everton in the end, Salisu seemingly downing tools during a relegation scrap hardly fits in with the team ethos Howe has built at Newcastle.
Having hardly covered himself in glory this season too, it’s not exactly the ideal way to prove yourself to a buying club.
Perhaps that’s an idealistic notion of the team Howe creates and maybe it should be accepted that such behaviour is simply part of the game.
Still, Newcastle’s defence is the best in the Premier League right now and modifications to it should be approached cautiously.
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