'What I'm hearing from my Newcastle contacts' - club staff not happy with PIF's transfer plan
Newcastle United are facing unrest behind the scenes as they embark on a new transfer plan to use money generated from player sales to fund new additions.
That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who has heard from his contacts that there is no harmony surrounding the new plan.
The Magpies are facing a significant rebuild this summer, after several of last summer’s big additions did not pan out as they had expected.
Wyness has emphasised that the club’s PIF ownership had expected a sharper trajectory of growth in recent years, but are now having to rein in their transfer ambitions.
Big-money moves for Nick Woltemade, Yoane Wissa and Anthony Elanga all failed last summer, as the trio contributed just nine Premier League goals between them.
The Tynesiders are eyeing up a transformational window once again, but Wyness is adamant that they could face difficulties if they cannot get it right this time.
Keith Wyness: Newcastle still waiting for PIF ‘excitement’
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that the PIF’s actions haven’t delivered the “excitement” of when they first took charge.
The Scottish businessman outlined that while the owners have “great plans” to upgrade the training ground and the stadium, they have failed to live up to expectations so far.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness questioned how long Newcastle’s new transfer strategy can last before it becomes an issue for them.
“Don't forget if you remember the whole scene when the PIF took over at Newcastle, everybody wearing Saudi Arabian gear and the whole thing, and there was excitement, 'we're the richest club in the world',” he said.
“The backing and the growth in revenue haven't really happened yet. We've got the new chief executive saying that it's going to happen, but we're not seeing any big signs of any deals or any growth that's going to substantially change things. They're stuck with the SCR rules, and they have to operate within them.
“That's where this buy-to-sell comes in. So there's a bit of a frustration, and that's probably a mild word from what I'm hearing from my Newcastle contacts because they expected a much bigger growth trajectory. Still, we haven't heard about the stadium and the training ground situations. Great plans and great rumours, but nothing yet confirmed.
“They thought they were really on the way to having that spending power, and to be told it's sell before you can buy, that's not quite the same thing. So yes, there is frustration building, and this is a very important window for them.”
Newcastle plan to block exit for Harvey Barnes
Football Insider revealed earlier this week that Newcastle have no intention of accepting an offer for Harvey Barnes this summer, amid strong interest in the winger from Aston Villa.
The North East outfit have put the brakes on any suggestion of the 28-year-old leaving St James’ Park this summer, especially after the sale of Anthony Gordon.
Eddie Howe now views the winger as a first-choice on the flanks and is expected to rely heavily on his creativity next season.
Several big Newcastle stars have been heavily linked with exits in recent weeks, but Barnes is not one who will be used to boost their transfer kitty.