Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has emphasized that although the club qualified for the Champions League, they will face a challenging summer in the transfer window.
Despite being owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), considered the wealthiest owners in the Premier League, the Magpies' manager thinks that they will face their most challenging period in recruiting players.
He said: “There's a very small pool of players for us to recruit. This is probably going to be our toughest transfer window," via Sky Sports.
In his first full season at St James' Park, Howe has successfully led the Magpies to the group stages of the Champions League, marking their return after a 20-year absence. This is something that the coach admits, they could not have dared to dream at the beginning of the season. According to the 24-year-old head coach, managing Newcastle's return to the Champions League since 2003 presents a significant challenge. He acknowledges the physical demands of the competition and commends his players for handling them effectively, which has contributed to their success. Despite this achievement, Howe emphasizes the need to maintain focus and adapt to the increased number of games, recognizing that the forthcoming matches pose an even greater challenge for the team.
Newcastle's goalless draw against Leicester City secured their place in Europe's top-tier club competition for the upcoming season. This result also dealt a blow to Liverpool's slim chances of finishing in the Premier League's top four.
To have any hope of securing a top-four spot, Liverpool now must win their final game against Southampton and rely on Manchester United losing their remaining two matches against Chelsea and Fulham.