Howe adamant Newcastle ‘can’t slap money on the table’

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe (AFP/Oli SCARFF)

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe insisted on Friday he cannot just “slap money on the table” while trying to bolster his squad during the transfer window despite the backing of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

Newcastle have spent a net £95 million ($121 million, 110 million euros) this transfer window in signing Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento, with Allan Saint-Maximin having left St James’ Park.

Howe, however, is keen to add to his squad, particularly in central defence, but the Englishman knows he will now have to navigate his way through Financial Fair Play regulations rather than simply spend more cash.

“We can’t just go out and slap money on the table and buy a player,” Howe told a press conference ahead of Newcastle’s Premier League opener against Aston Villa on Saturday.

“We don’t have the resources to do that at the moment with FFP restrictions.

“It’s about trying to find a different way rather than paying money in the here and now.”

Newcastle’s top-four finish last term secured a return to Champions League football.

“I’d love one more player, that’s what I’d love personally, and I think then we’d have the ideal depth at this moment with the injuries that we currently have.”

Newcastle’s rise, while owing much to the way Howe made use of a £250 million spending spree as the Magpies assembled a competitive squad, was also assisted by the poor form of Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea.

But all those three teams are expected to produce improved showings this term, with many pundits predicting Newcastle will struggle to finish in the top six.

“Ultimately people will always write us off, and I urge us all to come together and to fight tooth and nail to prove