PSR has been a major difference-maker for Newcastle United in the January transfer window.
It has been a quiet month on many fronts in the Premier League – Newcastle is no exception but it has been another pretty drab transfer window given the position the club are in the league.
Eddie Howe’s side are fighting for a return to European football after narrowly missing on playing in the Europa Conference League this season.
Departures have been the main theme of the window due to PSR. Before the window it was understood that Newcastle needed to sell before buying.
That has not stopped Newcastle from being active in the market. Newcastle wanted Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis but both players ended up joining Manchester City.
Khusanov’s agent confirmed Newcastle were frontrunners to land him but PSR restrictions halted them from making a formal approach.
With the news of the transfer failings in mind, Newcastle fans have taken to social media to let their feelings about sporting director Paul Mitchell be known.
Newcastle fans react to failed January bids
With the transfer window closing in less than a week, it looks like Newcastle will not be making any signings.
According to The Athletic, Newcastle had ‘heavily tracked’ Reis and looked poised to make an approach. Unfortunately, PSR limitations meant that they would not be able to do that business.
Some Newcastle fans believe that Mitchell is to blame – they have taken to X to voice their displeasure.
“No excuse for poor workmanship.” one fan said. Another added: “(Mitchell) must know the financial position so why is he lining them up.”
This Newcastle fan questioned Mitchell’s future at the club, saying: “So basically he isn’t doing his job then. Because he’s identifying targets that are unattainable.”
Another fan added: “Man City signed all 3 CB signings that Newcastle wanted. They didn’t need 3, they needed 1 at most. They did it purely because they are rivalling for top 4.”
“Said from the start he’s a waste of time and only interested in his own ego.” wrote one fan.
Finally, this fan said: “Might as well come out & say we lined up Bellingham & salah but couldn’t get it done due to PSR.”
Mitchell’s rough start at Newcastle
It is fair to say that Mitchell has not exactly hit the ground running since joining in July 2024. Mitchell joined shortly after academy product Elliot Anderson was sold to Nottingham Forest.
Mitchell said Newcastle’s transfer approach was ‘not fit for purpose’ and shifted the tempo to recruit younger players from overseas instead of the Alexander Isak’s and Sandro Tonali’s fans may be used to.
A real low moment was Newcastle’s failure to land Marc Guehi despite several bids being made to Crystal Palace.
The Magpies have once again failed to improve the positions they need which could prove to be costly towards the end of the season.
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