Age no barrier for Eddie now

NEWCASTLE United boss Eddie Howe has canned a longstanding transfer rule at St James’ Park ahead of the summer window.

Under Mike Ashley’s rule, managers were not always permitted to sign players in their peak years without having to make a compelling case to the club’s powers that be. In January, United signed 31-year-old Kieran Trippier and 30-year-old Chris Wood for a total of £37million – a move that was deemed as a last throw of the dice to avoid relegation.

But it is a move that is set to stay in place if it means signing the right type of player or character in the summer window. And Newcastle scouts have had the restriction to concentrate on young players with sell-on value removed from their assignments.

Howe said: “It’s about balance, and positions, it’s not to say we wouldn’t sign experienced players. It’s what the position needs rather than the age of the players.

“I am aware that we do have a lot of players 30 or above. You just don’t want to be too weighted in one direction as it can have a negative impact.”