Eddie Howe admits something is still uncertain about Newcastle in the transfer window this summer

Newcastle United start their Premier League campaign at home to Southampton on Saturday 17 August, 2024.

While last season proved difficult at Newcastle for a number of reasons, there is certainly hope of an improvement this time around.

Manager Eddie Howe, after all, took the club into the Champions League and a domestic cup final during his first full year in charge.

Quite whether or not he’ll be able match that achievement remains to be seen of course but the reduced schedule should allow Newcastle more time to focus on improving their Premier League position.

Still, work needs to be done in the transfer market.

Eddie Howe still doesn’t know his summer transfer budget at Newcastle United

Indeed, it seems Howe still does not know his budget this summer.

Speaking from the club’s pre-season training camp, the Newcastle boss said (via Keith Downie on social media platform X): “We have quite a bit to do on the outfield side of our squad.

“We have a hangover of injuries from last year with players still not fully training with yet. So I think we need to add players — and we hope to.

“I don’t really know that [the budget] yet, we are still in the process of working things out because there’s been a change with Paul Mitchell coming in as Sporting Director.”

Paul Mitchell already under pressure at Newcastle

Not knowing the budget this close to the start of the season is a huge concern, particularly with Howe reportedly wanting new sporting director Paul Mitchell to strengthen his squad before the pre-season tour of Japan later this month.

So, Mitchell is going to have to settle in to life at a new club, ascertain what the budget is and then make signings that will actually improve Howe’s first-team.

Doing all of that in just under a month does not seem ideal.

Clearly, there’s still time to go but the mood music right now is hardly the most upbeat on the transfer front.