Newcastle may need some signings in January to stop the squad from going stale, says manager Eddie Howe.
The Magpies – who face leaders Liverpool on Wednesday – have spent more than £500m on players since the club’s Saudi-backed owners took over in October 2021, but their latest big signing, Tino Livramento, arrived at St James’ Park in August last year. .
Recent results, a 1-0 home defeat by West Ham and Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace, mean Howe would like a boost in next month’s transfer window.
Howe said: “I think freshness is important in a team, I’m not going to sit here and deny that.
“There has to be a certain element of on and off trading to keep the group dynamic young. A new dynamic and a new team must always be formed every season.
“Sometimes the same team can produce a stale and a negative product, so I think we know that. But it’s about what we can do rather than “want to.” What I want is clear. What we can do is the main thing.”
Eddie Howe’s team news at a glance #NEWLIV:
“Alex (Isak) hit his hip, we haven’t seen him in training yet but we don’t think it’s a long-term injury. Dan (Burn) had a good game, when he got sent off we used it as an opportunity to take care of his ankle and… pic.twitter.com/tkN9zvIoZE
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 3, 2024
Premier League profitability and sustainability regulations led to Newcastle selling Elliott Anderson and Yankuba Midech this summer, during which approaches for Palace defender Mark Gwehi and Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga finally they failed.
Howe knows he is unlikely to be able to sign who he wants next month, but hopes to add to his numbers.
He said: “I think there is a desire from everyone at the club to achieve this. But then you have to go to the reality of what is possible. You have to make decisions for the here and now, but also for the future.
“We have to make sure we don’t put ourselves in a position where the summer becomes very, very difficult to do what we need to do or the future windows beyond that.”
Alexander Isak is a doubt to face the Reds due to a hip injury.
