The current January transfer window is a difficult one for Newcastle United, but Eddie Howe has reportedly made it clear to the owners what he thinks the club should do.
The Magpies are in a very different position to one year ago. There is no risk of relegation this season. Instead, there is a chance of Champions League football.
That has created an intriguing issue for the Toon owners in the transfer market, as they ponder whether they should stick or twist.
According to i News, Howe has made it clear that he believes that the club should ‘push the boat out’ and bring in reinforcements that can boost Newcastle’s bid to finish in the top four.
The Toon boss wants the owners to seize the unlikely opportunity that has appeared on their doorstep, with no one expecting Newcastle to be third in the table after 18 games.
However, the feeling might not be mutual. i News add that other people in the Newcastle boardroom are taking a more cautious approach, and want the club to remain wary of financial fair play. There is also a belief that the summer transfer window is a better one to operate in, while any money spent now will hinder the budget going into next season.
Newcastle should back Howe and gamble – but only for the right player
It is difficult to know what Newcastle should do during the January transfer window. There are compelling arguments on each side of the discussion, and it won’t be clear what the right answer is until many months in the future.
From Howe’s perspective, he recognizes that Newcastle have a real chance of finishing in the top four, and that will open up a wealth of opportunities for the club. With a new face or two, it will give the Magpies a bit more depth, and increase our chances of qualifying for the Champions League.
In contrast, we have already spent a lot of money over the past 12 months. The club continue to keep an eye on FFP to ensure the don’t overstep the mark when it comes to splashing the cash.
If Newcastle did go out and spend big this month and it backfired, it will have financial repercussions. It all depends on whether the risk is greater than the reward.
As fans, we want to see the owners back Howe and seize this remarkable opportunity. However, it should only be for the right player at the right place.
If someone like Youri Tielemans, a long-term Toon target, is available at a price that Newcastle can afford then we absolutely should make a move. He is a player that the owners have eyed for a long time, and someone who could actually be tougher to land in the summer if/when he becomes a free agent.
We shouldn’t be buying players for the sake of it, but one right addition could be the difference between qualifying for the Champions League and missing out.
Howe wants to gamble, and it is easy to see why.
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