BBC journalist reveals what is causing ‘frustration’ at Newcastle as transfer window progresses

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It has been a difficult summer for Newcastle United, to say the least.

While there is reason to be excited about the season ahead given the quality in the Newcastle squad and the reduced schedule this time around, the transfer market has looked pretty slow at times.

Five senior players have of course come into St James’ Park this summer but only Lloyd Kelly looks likely to immediately improve Eddie Howe’s first-team options.

Howe has also been open about the fact he did not want to sell either Elliot Anderson or Yankuba Minteh to Nottingham Forest and Brighton respectively but admitted the club simply had to in order to avoid breaking Premier League spending rules, which may have resulted in a ten-point deduction.

Indeed, despite the many millions and more that owners PIF have to their name, the spending has been relatively low on Tyneside this summer.

Even despite more than meeting the requirements on the PSR front, it seems the frustration has lingered.

BBC journalist shares what Newcastle are still frustrated about this summer

BBC Sport’s chief football writer Simon Stone was offering something of a season preview to the BBC’s LIVE blog recently and offered some insight from the club.

“I am getting a sense of frustration around Newcastle that they are being handicapped by financial rules, meaning they are having to sell players when they really want to buy,” he said at 16.24 on 08/08/2024.

“The good news is Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon are all still at the club. The bad news is there is another month before the transfer window closes. The uncertainty cannot be helping Eddie Howe in his planning.”

Newcastle need Eddie Howe at his best this season

Though eye-catching signings have obviously more than played their part during the PIF era at Newcastle, the work Howe has done on the training pitch cannot be understated.

He’s been praised for his ability to yield improvements out of the players he inherited, making previous investments go further.

With new signings at a premium this summer (albeit there’s still time to do deals), it stands to reason that Newcastle will need Howe at his coaching best in order to get this team going on a consistent basis once again.

It won’t be easy but Howe has proven it before.