Eddie Howe issues Newcastle United transfer warning to chiefs - this can't happen again
Eddie Howe delivers transfer message to Newcastle United recruitment chiefs.
Eddie Howe has called for Newcastle United to act quickly and decisively in this summer’s transfer window.
Last summer, the Magpies waited until July 11 to announce their first signing as Anthony Elanga joined from Premier League counterparts Nottingham Forest for £55million.
Elanga was the only new recruit to arrive in time for pre-season as United concluded the rest of their transfer business in August.
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Aaron Ramsdale, Malick Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey were next through the door before Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa joined in the final 48 hours of the window to replace the outgoing Alexander Isak.
Before that, Newcastle missed out on several striker targets, including Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko.
Eddie Howe calls for Newcastle United to act decisively in summer market
The Magpies were without a sporting director or active chief executive but head into this summer with Ross Wilson and David Hopkinson in those respective positions, and Howe hopes that will enable the club to get off to a quick start in the market.
“I think it has to be different,” Howe said. “I think I was sat here this time last year saying the same thing, that we needed to move quickly, we needed to be dynamic.
“You'll find that the best players won't hang around for too long, that are available on the market. The speed at which the transfer market moves now is very quick, teams are very efficient, and we have to be there as one of those teams.”
Newcastle had Champions League football to offer last year but won’t any form of European qualification to offer this time around following what has been a poor Premier League season.
Asked if that will impact recruitment, Howe replied: “I think it's a slightly bigger challenge for us, but last year we had Champions League football and we had finances, but it was still very, very difficult to attract the players that we wanted, that we feel could really make a difference to the team
“So I don't think that challenge is going to be certainly easier, it's going to be harder for us, as I say. The lure of Champions League football wasn't all-defining for us, so I think there's a balance to it.”
Eddie Howe looking the future with Newcastle United team selection
Newcastle have just two matches remaining this season, first playing host to West Ham United on Sunday before a week later travelling to Fulham.
With little to play but pride, Howe admits he is making his team selection with next season in mind.
Howe said: “I think at this stage of the season, you've always got an eye on the future because the team and everything evolves so quickly.
“You're going into a summer transfer window with a lot of unknowns for us but there will be a feeling of change this summer, I'm sure.
“So, I think you need to give players opportunities. We need to try things to a degree that we're looking at for the future with a view to next season and trying to leave this season with positivity to take into next one.”