Newcastle star lets slip secret target that Eddie Howe wanted to keep quiet

Newcastle stars have pledged to target European qualification NEXT season.

Toon boss Eddie Howe has been playing it cool insisting the Geordies are on a steady rebuilding programme which would peak in 5-8 years, despite being funded by a super-wealthy Saudi state wealth fund. But Brazilian midfielder, and player of the season Joelinton has let slip the private target of Howe’s reinvigorated squad, which Howe wanted to keep secret so it doesn’t become a burden.

However the United chief IS impressed that his squad have collectively set high targets as they head to Burnley. Howe says he will demand that the club has a proper crack at the cup competitions and rivals the best of the rest in the Premier League.

Howe will have a transfer budget of around £60m plus proceeds from player sales with the ownership group happy to go for steady growth rather than an immediate splash of cash. Howe said: “Joe is a good guy and he is positive and optimistic. And I think we should be. I have no issue with that and I want my squad to be confident and ambitious.

"They have to believe in big things and we have to set targets internally. I would rather these things stay internal than external because we have to also manage expectations. We don’t want to play under an unnecessary burden or unnecessary pressure that hampers our performance. I would prefer to keep things in-house.”

Howe has pointed to other clubs who have spent hundreds of millions chasing the elite - without singling out Everton - saying plenty have got it wrong and wasted money going too quickly. Instead he will continue to build a “culture” based on strong team spirit and good characters, with no signings being made unless personalities show the right attitude. Signing a