CEO Darren Eales has vowed that Newcastle United are 'always going to spend' what the club can under Financial Fair Play restrictions to get to 'where we want to get to'.
Newcastle's hierarchy held talks with Eddie Howe last week about the club's summer budget. Although the numbers were not as big as Howe wanted, qualifying for the Champions League has given Newcastle's kitty a timely lift.
However, Howe reiterated last week that FFP is 'definitely impacting us and what we will be able to do' at a time when the club's revenues are still some way off those sides the black-and-whites have leapfrogged in the table, such as Liverpool, Spurs and Chelsea. That is why Newcastle are going to have to be particularly smart to improve a spirited group as Eales knows only too well.
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"We are going to build for next year, but it's really important, as we build that team, we do bring in the right characters, the right people that fit there," he said at True Faith's end of season show. "We have all seen it with other football clubs.
"It's not just about the money you spend - it's about how you spend it. The weekend's game [against Chelsea] is a perfect illustration of that. You're in safe hands with Eddie and Dan [Ashworth] in terms of knowing what it is we're looking for.
"The reality is we are always going to spend what we can under FFP. I can say that to you hand on heart here. The club will always be doing its best to get to where we want to get to, but we have got to make sure we do it methodically, in the right way that is sustainable.
"With Eddie Howe, it's unbelievable to see just what he does with the squad, the way he has galvanised them. It's really important that we keep building with that in mind. We've got a great pair of hands there with Eddie because he's unbelievably good."
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