Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is ‘finally speaking out’ about their issues with domestic rivals in the transfer market, says journalist Dean Jones.
Jones reiterated in an interview with GiveMeSport that it’s an issue he’s raised from ‘day one’ of the window but isn’t surprised at the attitude of the other Premier League clubs.
What is the latest news involving Newcastle?
In the previous window, Newcastle brought in goalkeeper Nick Pope and defenders Sven Botman and Matt Targett with relative ease.
However, signing attackers proved more difficult, with their interest in Leicester City’s James Maddison and Leeds United’s Jack Harrison failing to progress.
And Howe recently admitted that their top-flight rivals ‘didn’t want to be seen to be helping’ them at this stage of their development, stunting their ability to bring players in over the summer.
“That’s true,” replied the 44-year-old tactician, when asked if they had found it difficult to get clubs to sell or loan them players. “I would say so (they saw us as a new threat).
“That was definitely something we felt in the market. Domestic clubs didn’t want to be seen to be helping us. We’ll have to take that, that is part of where we are at the moment.”
What has Jones said about Newcastle?
Jones has told GMS that he understands the stance of Premier League sides when it comes to dealing with Newcastle, who are the richest football club in the world.
He said: “He's finally speaking out about it. We've been talking about this from day one of the transfer window. Premier League clubs don't want to help Newcastle, why would they?
“If you're anywhere in the Premier League right now, the last thing you want to do is help Newcastle become not only an established force in the Premier League to stay in it, but to challenge for the top six.
“That means that everybody else drops down a position and your own club's going to be in a worse off position than they were before.”
How have Newcastle started the season?
Despite winning just one of their opening six Premier League games of the season against newly-promoted Nottingham Forest, Newcastle have put in several promising performances.
A thrilling 3-3 draw against reigning champions Manchester City at St. James’ Park showed a glimpse of their true potential, while they only lost to Liverpool at Anfield after Fabio Carvalho scored with the last kick of the game.
Howe may be frustrated with some of the ongoings in the transfer window, but he will surely be encouraged by what he’s witnessed on the pitch so far this term.