"My understanding is..." - Insider now drops intriguing PIF transfer claim at Newcastle

Newcastle United could disguise permanent signings as initial loan arrivals in order to avoid Financial Fair Play regulations being broken at St James’ Park, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Magpies became the richest club in world football when the Saudi Arabia-based Public Investment Fund completed a £305million takeover last October.

Despite mega-rich owners being in place at St James’ Park, Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe will reportedly have a transfer budget of less than £90million for the summer.

According to 90min, Newcastle are close to completing a deal worth in the region of £30million which will involve Reims striker Hugo Ekitike heading to Tyneside.

The report suggests the two-cap France under-20 international’s switch could initially be billed as a loan with an obligation to buy, while Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United are also showing an interest.

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is understood to have drawn the attention of Howe, with his current employers willing to listen to offers, while Newcastle have been handed the opportunity to sign Watford winger Ismaila Sarr.

The Magpies are one of four clubs in talks with Jesse Lingard ahead of his departure from Manchester United in the summer.

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Jones believes Newcastle will look to use clever methods to ensure FFP sanctions are not imposed on the Magpies.

The transfer insider feels plenty of fresh faces will be on their way to St James’ Park ahead of next season.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “My understanding is that they are going to push the FFP rules to the limit and they’ll do whatever they can, but they also don’t want to get