Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Fri 7 February 2025 20:00, UK

Newcastle United have paved the way for a big summer signing spree to bolster the squad, sources have told Football Insider.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that the Magpies decided to go with “long-term planning rather than short-term thinking” with their January transfer window dealings.

The Premier League giants were “desperate” to avoid a repeat of what happened last summer when the club were forced to sell Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh before June 30th due to profit and sustainability and financial fair play restrictions.

Those sales weakened Eddie Howe’s team for this season, with the club restricted by the types of signings they could go on to make.

Howe has managed to guide Newcastle to the final of the EFL Cup this season while the team is still competing for European football next season as they sit sixth in the Premier League currently.

Newcastle focused on outgoings in January

The Magpies made no signings during the January transfer window, but did allow Miguel Almiron and Lloyd Kelly to depart St James’ Park.

The finances have strengthened their position when it comes to PSR, with Newcastle hoping to avoid any potential points deductions in the future.

Football Insider revealed that Howe was denied the chance to sign a right winger and a centre-back in January as they couldn’t find any suitable deals, with the window stretching the squad even further.

Newcastle will attempt to strengthen the squad in the summer

Newcastle are set to “loosen their purse strings” during the summer transfer window as the hierarchy aims to back Howe with new players.

Howe has been searching for a central defender ever since last summer when the club attempted to sign Marc Guehi, and that remains a priority for the Magpies.

Football Insider also revealed that the financial choices made will help Newcastle’s chances of convincing Alexander Isak to sign a new contract.

The Magpies should be able to offer the Sweden international more money in a bid to retain him amid interest from Arsenal and several other Premier League sides.

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