Newcastle United sporting director Dan Ashworth says the Magpies cannot keep solely buying players for Eddie Howe's first-team as attention turns to the future on Tyneside. The Magpies forked out over £200m on new additions in 2022 with the club now reaping the rewards in both league and cup.
The arrival of key figures such as Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes and Sven Botman have seen Howe's side upset the apple cart at the very time of asking. However, Newcastle are now looking to save funds for future windows despite an outside clamour for additions before the end of the month.
Ashworth hints senior signings may be few and far between in the near future, saying these types of additions are 'unsustainable' for the football club. Newcastle will instead try and attract the best young talent to Tyneside in the hope they will be knocking on Howe's door for a shot in the first-team in years to come.
READ MORE: Howe's speech, Burn's firm message and Shearer enjoys - Newcastle moments you may have missed
Quizzed by former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given on how the north east club compete with the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool for prospective talent, Ashworth replied: "We've got to give these players a story and a plan of how they've got a possibility to play for this great football club.
"We have to put something together that is attractive to the player and most of the time that is about pathways. It's about 'how can I get in your first-team and what are you going to do to help me?' If you're talking to a young player in order to achieve their potential and achieve their vision of being a Premier League footballer.
"But ultimately, and we've spoken about this before, it's not sustainable for us to keep going out and buying 'here and now players' - we have to buy some potential and we have to get some potential through the building. We've already got some in the academy now but we have to try and invest and upgrade that so Eddie has a nice problem to have. He's got a lot of good young players coming through the system trying to get in the team as well."
Ashworth has wasted no time trying to find top young talent for Newcastle since taking the role at St James' Park. Charlie McArthur, Jude Smith, Alex Murphy and Jordan Hackett were all added to the club's youth ranks over the summer in a bid to boost the under-21 side.
The addition of Australian sensation Garang Kuol proves Newcastle are out to buy the very best youth products on the market. The 18-year-old is expected to join Hearts on loan this month with Ashworth keen for young talent to earn much-needed minutes elsewhere if needed.
Reports this week suggest Newcastle have joined the hunt for 18-year-old Borussia Dortmund attacker Youssoufa Moukoko. The teenager has burst onto the scene at Signal Iduna Park in recent years and is being courted by some of Europe's top teams.
READ NEXT
Alexander Isak makes it clear what his best position is for Newcastle United
Reality of a Newcastle United squad never built to fight on three fronts
Alexander Isak lifts lid on 'complications' during Newcastle United injury comeback
Kieran Trippier excited by Newcastle United owners' plans for 2023
Newcastle United warn off queue of clubs wanting to take Elliot Anderson on loan
