Newcastle manager Eddie Howe reluctantly admitted that the club had to part ways with Allan Saint-Maximin during the summer transfer window, a decision he didn’t favor. Despite the infusion of funds from new owners, Newcastle is bound by financial fair play regulations, prompting them to adopt a sell-to-buy strategy to reinforce the squad, especially in the face of numerous injuries.
Saint-Maximin was transferred to Al Ahli for £23 million, a move that Howe acknowledged he did not support but felt compelled to execute in the context of player trading. Howe drew comparisons to other clubs like Manchester City and Arsenal, pointing out their reliance on player trading to rejuvenate their squads.
In a recent TalkSport interview, the manager discussed the club’s ongoing challenges in navigating financial limitations while striving to maintain a dynamic squad.
Commenting on individual players is challenging, but when it comes to player trading, consider examples from clubs like Manchester City and Arsenal who engage in such transactions in recent windows. We’ve experienced this ourselves with Allan Saint-Maximin, a player we reluctantly had to sell last summer to comply with financial constraints. This approach allows us to introduce fresh elements to the squad.
There are now reports suggesting that Newcastle may need to part ways with another key player, such as Bruno Guimaraes, to further invest in strengthening the squad.
Newcastle has faced difficulties in replicating their previous season’s performance, currently sitting in 10th place in the table. With just one win in their last five games, significant improvement is necessary if they aim to contend for a top-four finish.