Eddie Howe insists it is “almost impossible” for Newcastle United to have a mass overhaul of their squad this summer due to the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR).
There has been an expectation that, following a season which has seen Newcastle arguably stagnate on the field, there will be significant player trading in and out during the off-season to refresh and evolve the player pool.
However, while Howe admits that Newcastle’s desire is to make changes to the squad, he is keen to stress that any player who departs has to be replaced, even if they are on the fringes. Given the cost of even a bit-part player, Howe does not believe Newcastle can radically reshape their squad in a single summer window.
In January, PSR prevented Newcastle from making an addition and Howe did not get the midfielder he desired.
“Without trying to predict the summer, which is very difficult to do, no, I don’t see a way that we can have a mass overhaul,” Howe said. “I think it’s almost impossible because of financial fair play rules.
“Any player that we lose from our squad, we have to replace. So that costs a lot of money to find elite Premier League players. In terms of trading, of course, I’m sure there will be trading, but I’m not sure how much.”
GO DEEPER
Premier League financial fair play rules explained
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