Newcastle United are going to have a tough time qualifying for the Champions League after failing to make any signings.
The club has been hamstrung by PSR which has forced them to sell squad players which have left Eddie Howe scratching his head over potential alternatives for the likes of Jacob Murphy, the only natural right-winger in Newcastle’s squad.
Howe has teased at William Osula playing on the wing in the near future, but he is more suited to play as a striker thanks to his strength and finishing ability.
Elsewhere, Harvey Barnes is out injured while another right-wing option Joelinton looks set for a spell on the sidelines.
Newcastle are now set to see out the rest of the season with a much weakened squad which has the potential to jeopardise their final position in the Premier League table.
Amid the disappointment, words from Chris Waugh have now revealed why Newcastle did not even make a loan signing in the transfer window.
Newcastle’s lack of loan signings
Loan signings are usually a lot more cost-effective for teams who are struggling with PSR. Newcastle have done it before when Matt Targett joined on a loan from Aston Villa or when Lewis Hall was loaned to Newcastle from Chelsea.
It is a helpful way of getting quality players in for a short period of time, but something Newcastle have chosen not to do this time around.
Talking via his weekly Q&A via the Athletic, Waugh was asked why Newcastle did not take advantage of the loan market.
He claimed that Newcastle do not feel the value or benefit of the ones that would have been available to them.
A lot of loans come with obligations to buy, like Kelly’s move to Juventus, but most clubs who let their players go are eager to get the money straight away.
Howe is also reluctant to push for loan deals which is claimed to be due to other clubs’ unwillingness to help Newcastle and because players who are available on loan are usually out of form, unfit or have had some other issue that has hampered the amount of game time they would get.
Newcastle could shift focus to domestic competitions
If things start to go pear-shaped for Newcastle, they still have something they can fall back on. The Magpies take on Arsenal in an important Carabao Cup semi-final second leg which could see them return to Wembley Stadium for the second time in three seasons.
If they win the competition, a big bonus for the Magpies is that they would also qualify for the Europa League next season, a huge boost in their hopes of keeping the likes of Alexander Isak who wants to play in Europe again so badly.
Failing the Carabao Cup, Newcastle are expected to perform well in the FA Cup this season and could reach the fifth round of the competition with a win against Birmingham City on Saturday.
The Magpies have not reached the final of the competition since the 90s but will be eager to do just that this season.
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