Ciaran Morrison

Thu 16 April 2026 7:30, UK

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Eddie Howe’s uncertain future at Newcastle United could have an effect on the club’s summer transfer plans.

That is according to ex-Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking to Football Insider, who believes players may be “thinking twice” about joining Newcastle.

There is growing pressure on Howe’s position as manager as Newcastle will miss out on European football next season, and will have to settle for a mid-table Premier League finish.

Meanwhile, there are concerns that many of the Magpies’ best players could leave the club in the summer transfer window.

Newcastle chief David Hopkinson failed to back Howe when asked about his future, with talks around his position set to commence at the end of the season.

Newcastle in ‘difficult’ position as transfer window nears

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Newcastle should have been planning their transfer business since last summer.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks Newcastle need to sort out their problems if they want to attract players to the club.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “All this work for next season should have been happening for months.

“It should have been started after the last transfer window closed. Even last summer is when it should have started. The last statement I saw coming out of the club was that all parties would talk again over the summer. Now that’s not the stability you need going into a major change period.

“A lot of that has stemmed from David Hopkinson’s comments. Look, Eddie Howe thinks Newcastle are lucky to have him. He’s done a great job for them, and given stability and some resources, he can deliver what the fans want up there and deserve.

“So it’s a difficult situation that I’m seeing. All these noises coming out, and it seems politics is starting to play a role that it needn’t have to.

“The atmosphere around the club is so important in terms of attracting players. You’ve got to think about what a player sitting there is thinking looking at it from the outside. Is this really the happy place I want to go to? Is it really as positive as it was just a couple of seasons ago?

“Thinking of having the new Saudi owners coming in, Eddie Howe coming in, the club winning a trophy, everything was on the up, and they were going to attract great players. This season it’s a completely different story and a lot of people might be thinking twice about Newcastle right now.

“And this is the time they need to strengthen that squad. So a lot of things to consider right now, but it is not a great starting point for a very important window.”

Crystal Palace striker on Newcastle’s shortlist of transfer targets

With the futures of Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa uncertain, Howe is eyeing up a new striker to bring to St James’ Park.

Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Newcastle have joined the race to sign Jean-Philippe Mateta from Crystal Palace.

It comes after Mateta scored a brace as Crystal Palace beat Newcastle in the Premier League, and the 28-year-old is expected to leave Selhurst Park this summer.

Mateta has proven experience in the Premier League, but may not be a long-term solution to Howe’s issues in attack, whilst the Frenchman’s knee problems could also be a concern.