Eddie Howe has ruled out Newcastle signing “unbelievable” Ronaldo, Neymar and Lionel Messi.
Newcastle have been linked with a move for the trio of global superstars, as Howe’s side challenge for the Champions League next season. But Howe insists the Geordies “can’t afford” their transfer fees or wages at this point, and wants to land the next iconic player BEFORE they “explode” onto the world scene.
Neymar and Messi are on their way out of PSG after fan protests. Messi visited Saudi Arabia, whose sovereign wealth fund the PIF, owns Newcastle. Ronaldo already plays in Saudi. Howe insists he is not “frustrated” by Newcastle now being seen as contenders for big names.
Newcastle could have a budget of up to £200m this summer if they seal a place in the top four, find a new £25m shirt sponsor and end up in the Champions League. Howe said: “That kind of speculation has been there from day one since the takeover, really. Naturally everyone has then assumed the biggest names in world football will be going to Newcastle.
“Now we've not recruited that way. I think financially, we can't recruit that way at the moment, but also we have to bring the right people and the right players into the group. It is best to discover them before they explode onto the world scene.
“We could not be able to come close to affording those players as they are the best players in the world. We are never going to be in a position currently to afford those transfer fees and wages, so we need to go underneath and find them young and develop them into the players they can be.
“I will say the transfer market is such a complex decision, you can't just pick a name and bring them in. There's got to be a lot of thought going into what we're doing both financially and looking at the players.
“It doesn’t frustrate me. Those two players are unbelievable players. We are linked with different names. I know what direction I want to take the team in and what we can and can’t do in the transfer market. A lot of the names will not be accurate.”
Howe will guide Newcastle’s spending this summer because new recruits must fit his high energy style.
He added: “In order for a club to be truly successful the head coach needs to have a strong hand on transfers. The players have to come into your style of play. They have to be linked to your philosophy.
“Only someone in my position can truly understand what that is. You need a good recruitment team and the right players presented to you but then you have to pick wisely. And me and my coaching team spend a lot of time trying to identify the right players.”
Howe has ended a touchline row with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta ahead of Sunday’s game.
The pair clashed at the Emirates earlier in the season, with Arteta irate and ranting at Newcastle’s tactics, and two penalty claims that were turned down. Howe says he loves Arteta’s work and coaching, and enjoys the way they play.
He said: “It’s fine. I have respect for Mikel. He has done an incredible job. Considering the team he picked up and the way they are playing now. You admire everything he has done, recruitment and coaching.
“There will always be moments of confrontation, that is part of the job, but there are no issues on my side.
"Our two teams have improved since that point. Different game, and circumstances. I am not looking back at that game.”
