Eddie Howe admits FFP will impact Newcastle's spending this summer

The richest club in the world can’t spend big! Eddie Howe admits Financial Fair Play will impact Newcastle this summer and claims a squad overhaul is ‘not an option’ for the club despite the backing of their mega-rich Saudi owners

Newcastle are reported to have a budget of £60-80million plus player sales
The Toon spent £94m on five players in January in the new owners’ first window
Eddie Howe warned their outlay will not be as lavish as expected this summer
The boss claimed Financial Fair Play will limit the Magpies’ transfer business

Eddie Howe has warned that Newcastle United’s spending power will be impacted by financial rules this summer and says their outlay will not be as lavish as some expect.

Sportsmail reported last month that a transfer budget of between £60-80million plus player sales has been mooted within the game.

Newcastle, backed by their new Saudi owners for the first time in January, spent £94m on five players.

Manager Eddie Howe has warned that Newcastle’s spending power will be impacted by FFP

But Howe said: ‘There’s an element of truth in that (talk of reduced budget). With Financial Fair Play, we have restraints and we have things that we have to work within, so we can’t just go out and spend money on players like maybe teams could have done in the past and totally change their squad within one transfer window.

‘That is not an option for us. The more money you spend in one window, the more it impacts your ability to then spend in windows beyond.

Newcastle spent £94m on five players in January in the new owners’ (above) first window

‘The rules are there to govern the game properly and we have to follow suit, so that does impact what we can do this summer.

‘But it doesn’t mean that we’re totally without ambition. We want to try to bring the right players in, ones that are proud to wear the shirt and that can make a difference.

‘We’re well aware that we have to change the squad and we have to make improvements, but it’s going to be a difficult balance.’