LA MANGA — On the sun-kissed Spanish coast this week, there has been optimism as Newcastle’s key power brokers meet to talk turkey.
PIF’s Jacobo Solis and Newcastle minority owner Jamie Reuben were notable presences in La Manga for an “off-site” on Wednesday that has set the direction of travel for the last three weeks of the summer transfer window. How is it going to be? “Busy” said one senior source.
It needs to be. For all the upbeat words and “energy”, there is a lot riding on it. CEO David Hopkinson told reporters here the club is in a “moment of change” and should not shy away from admitting it. Matthias Jaissle has injected fresh energy and intensity but he needs more in the market.
A fresh push in their recruitment drive is now imminent and the budget they can work with is considerable. The i Paper reported that they could spend £150m after the Bruno Guimaraes sale and that number has been backed up out here in Spain.
Transfer fees will “not be a problem” in the markets they’re shopping in but wages are the key. Under tough squad cost ratio rules have to keep that (relatively) low to continue investing while hitting their agreed Uefa financial restrictions. It will also give them room to negotiate further contract extensions – with Lewis Hall eyeing new terms and a longer stay.
