Former Newcastle United winger praises club's strategy since October takeover

Former Newcastle United winger John Barnes has praised the way the club have operated since their takeover in October last year. The Magpies are now the richest football club in the world but are determined to progress steadily in their search for success.

Both in January and this summer, Newcastle have been linked to numerous high-profile players, but it is clear that is not the avenue they will look to go down. Two of their main targets this summer include Hugo Ekitike and Sven Botman, both of whom are young players with the potential to grow alongside the Newcastle project.

And speaking on Sky Sports, Barnes claimed that the ‘organic’ growth route which Newcastle are seemingly taking is the ‘right way to do it’ as they eventually look to become a force in both the Premier League and Europe.

He said: “Rightfully so because if you look at the signings they actually made at the turn of the year, which really gave them the impetus to stay up and do quite well in the league against all the teams, why then break that up all of a sudden to say we’re going to challenge for top four. They weren’t going to be able to get the players at this moment in time to make them challenge for the top four immediately.

“So why not stick with what they have, make one or two signings, which I am sure they will and then grow steadily and organically rather than feeling we’re just going to spend 100’s of millions and win the league, which isn’t going to happen. The best players in the world still at this moment in time won’t be going to Newcastle.

“But then if you can move forward and finish in the top 10, meaning between fifth and tenth, and maybe as the years go on make a push. That is the right way to do it.”

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