Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe responds to Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar transfer links

NEWCASTLE: Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has responded to transfer links with world superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar.

Speculative reports from across Europe have suggested St. James’ Park could be the ideal next destination for the Portuguese and Brazilian, should they leave Saudi Professional League club Al-Nassr and Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the current season.

However, Howe has poured cold water on the idea of either of these players, or those of a similar profile, ending up at Newcastle — especially when the Magpies have built their success, a charge to the Champions League places, with a totally different strategy.

“That kind of speculation has been there from day one since the takeover, really,” said Howe, referencing the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia majority buyout.

“Naturally everyone has then assumed the biggest names in world football will be going to Newcastle. Now we’ve not recruited that way. I think financially, we can’t recruit that way at the moment, but also we have to bring the right people and the right players into the group.

“I will say the transfer market is such a complex decision, you can’t just pick a name and bring them in. There’s got to be a lot of thought going into what we’re doing both financially and looking at the players.”

Newcastle’s transfer approach could not be further from the fantasy football many predicted following the takeover in October 2021.

Big names and even bigger egos have been shunned, with not a penny wasted in the market. Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Bruno Guimaraes signalled the start of the revolution while Alexander Isak has proven the standout business of the 2022/23 season.

Those deals — with a few choice others, none of