Reported stance from Premier League clubs could hinder Newcastle

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Newcastle United are in a fight to stay in the Premier League this season.

The Magpies are 19th in the table and haven’t won any of their first 11 games.

Eddie Howe has a huge job on his hands after being confirmed as the Magpies’ new boss on Monday.

He’ll get funds to improve his squad in January, but that might prove to be slightly difficult if the Telegraph are to be believed.

They report that some clubs will be unwilling to do business with Magpies, such is their opposition to the Saudi-backed takeover that went through last week.

It’s a bold stance from a lot of clubs, as they refuse to help Newcastle in their quest to avoid relegation in exchange for cash. ‘Anyone but Newcastle’ is how some clubs reportedly plan to do business.

Will Newcastle have to change their transfer strategy?

Newcastle have been linked with plenty of Premier League players, as they look for experienced options to guide them up the table.

Perhaps their attitude will soften if Newcastle dramatically improve and make relegation look less likely by the time the transfer window opens. But that’s a long shot when you consider the difficult fixtures that are on the horizon for Howe and co.

Instead, Newcastle may need to take their transfer kitty elsewhere.

They’ve been linked with plenty of players abroad as well, but they’ve often been fanciful and ambitious ‘targets’. They probably aren’t even targets – just agents using Newcastle’s new wealth to put their client in the shop window.

Newcastle aren’t going to be able to sign superstars in January. Now they may struggle to get the Premier League experience they crave.

That puts even more pressure on whoever it is who comes in to deal with transfers. At the moment, it looks like it will be Michael Emenalo, who is reportedly the favourite to become Newcastle’s director of football.

If he does get the gig, he’ll have a tough job on his hands in January. Here’s hoping he’s up to the task and we can survive without relying on the clubs who want to relegate us.