Eddie Howe provided a rather bleak update on Newcastle United’s chances of signing players during what remains of the summer transfer window.
Though Anthony Elanga looks a fine addition to the squad, the fact remains Newcastle have signed only one first-team player in four transfer windows now.
Clearly, things could change, but the club have been met with frustration at almost every turn this summer.
The Newcastle United squad looks stretched ahead of the new season, which will bring Champions League football to St James’ Park alongside the Premier League commitments.
Speaking about the situation, Howe admitted he wasn’t overly confident about new players arriving.
Eddie Howe makes major Newcastle United transfer admission
Howe was speaking after Newcastle lost 4-0 to Celtic in a pre-season friendly.
Alexander Isak was sent home from the Celtic game too amid doubts about his future, so it all made for a rather miserable day for the travelling Toon Army.
Howe’s comments after the game hardly sound positive either. Indeed, the Newcastle United manager admitted he was “hopeful rather than confident” that new players would arrive because the club cannot control the market.
“I’d say I’m hopeful rather than confident because we’re not in control of the market or agents, players and other clubs,” he said.
“I can assure everybody we are a hundred per cent on it and trying to do things quickly.”
Newcastle United will be gutted about Eddie Howe’s comments
Newcastle fans think Howe is angry at the lack of transfers this summer, and that hardly seems out of the question.
While the club are clearly trying to go for players, they just cannot get over the line. Liam Delap and Joao Pedro joined Chelsea, while Bryan Mbeumo and Hugo Ekitike look bound for Manchester United and Liverpool respectively.
All of them had interest from St James’ but it has just not worked out. Fans will be deflated about the idea Howe isn’t confident in signing anyone, while the unwelcome development in the Isak saga comes as another blow.
It would be fair to say it’s not going well for Newcastle this summer.
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