During a press conference, Eddie Howe acknowledged that Newcastle United has exceeded expectations this season and will need to invest heavily in the summer if they want to maintain their position. The club has already spent over £250 million on players since the Saudi-backed takeover, but it will take more to sustain their challenge at the top of the table. Newcastle has secured a top-four finish and a return to the Champions League after a 20-year absence, which is a significant improvement from Howe’s initial targets for the campaign.
When asked if he was looking forward to the challenge, Howe stated that he wasn’t sure and that the dynamic would have changed for them. He believes that they have over-achieved this year and will need to continue doing so to match the expectation, which will be their biggest challenge.
Regarding his wish-list for potential signings, Howe stated that there would be players they’d love to bring in who would be classified as “marquee” signings. However, he emphasized that it’s more about finding the right player for the team and their position, rather than ticking a box for supporters. While he’d love to make a marquee signing, it’s about finding someone who can make them better as a team.