Newcastle have avoided vanity signings – Cascarino
FORMER Aston Villa and Celtic striker Tony Cascarino is impressed by the post-takeover transfer policy at Newcastle United.
Since the £300m Saudi-backed takeover was approved last October, the Magpies have spent around £150m on seven new arrivals.
Premier League proven players were prioritised in January as Newcastle aimed to stave off the threat of relegation. Fast forward to the present and Toon chiefs are looking to launch an all-out assault on the top 10. And now Nick Pope and Sven Botman have arrived – along with former loanee Matt Targett.
Even the most optimistic Newcastle fan knew the prospect of signing Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland et al was a pipe dream but that did not stop outlets from linking these world-famous players with the club.
Offloading surplus players who are already on Tyneside is of equal importance to adding further quality as the club looks to slash a crippling wage bill.
One pundit who has praised the meticulous approach is Republic of Ireland star Cascarino. The 59-year-old believes Eddie Howe warrants particular praise as the figurehead of the “steady-build” process.
“Do you know what I’ve really loved about Newcastle?” Cascarino told talkSPORT.
“There have been no vanity signings. All their signings have been for a purpose or a direction.
“And I think Eddie has done a really low-key (job). All the names that were thrown out early doors when Newcastle were bought and what would happen to this club and who would be there. It’s been a completely different process. It’s been really slow and it’s had a direction of ‘how can we improve the team.’
“Let’s remember their form from January till the end of the season was exceptional. And it kept them up and got them to a quite healthy place in the Premier League in the end. But there’s been no vanity signings, and I don’t even think Eddie Howe (wants that). He just wants to buy really good players that have the DNA he thinks suits Newcastle.”