Newcastle United found themselves hamstrung by the financial rules during the summer transfer window.
The Tyneside club ended up making a profit of £22m from the window after selling Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh to avoid breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Newcastle pushed hard to sign Marc Guehi, but ended up walking away from a deal for the Crystal Palace star on deadline day after multiple bids were rejected.
They were also after a new right-winger over the summer but Newcastle missed out on a last-gasp deal for Anthony Elanga despite being willing to pay £40m for the Nottingham Forest ace.
Pressure is now building on new sporting director Paul Mitchell and CEO Darren Eales after a massively underwhelming transfer window at St James’ Park.
Newcastle United may have to accept £100m+ deal
The one shining light for Newcastle United is that they kept hold of their star players despite facing interest from Premier League powerhouses.
Manchester City showed interest in Bruno Guimaraes, but the Brazilian midfielder stayed put at St James’ Park and has become the club’s captain.
Likewise, Alexander Isak was linked to Arsenal and Liverpool showed an interest in Anthony Gordon, but Newcastle rejected all interest in their star duo.
However, Jamie Carragher believes Newcastle may have to accept a huge deal for one of their best players in order to fund the club’s ambitious long-term project.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher said “I feel for Newcastle in that it almost feels as if this money has come at the wrong time.
“With the rules now of Financial Fair Play, it doesn’t matter how much money you’ve got, it’s what you’re bringing into the club.
“Now, they’re trying to build that up through sponsorships, but if we’re being totally honest they might have to sell one of their biggest players for £100million, £120million and go again.
“They might have to do that for two or three years before they can bring that revenue in to keep bringing in better players at better prices.”
Newcastle can splash the cash next summer
After carefully navigating PSR this summer, Newcastle have ended the summer with a profit and a very healthy wage bill.
That should free the club up financially to spend big next summer, and qualification to Europe will only add to their budget.
But the mood at St James’ Park has soured after their poor end to the summer and Eddie Howe has a big task to pick his side up and challenge at the top end of the table.
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