Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-01-26 15:43:07
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe expressed his concern on Friday that the club may be forced to sell star midfielder Joelinton due to Premier League financial rules. The club has seen significant improvement in its performance since the Saudi Public Investment Fund took over in October 2021, propelling them from the 19th position in the Premier League table. However, despite the on-field success, Newcastle is still subject to Premier League financial fair play regulations and may have to offload key players after revealing a £73 million ($93 million) loss for the 2022/2023 season.
Joelinton, the £40 million star midfielder, is one of the players who may be leaving St James’ Park, as negotiations for a new contract have hit a roadblock. Howe expressed uncertainty about Joelinton’s future with the club, stating that there is a possibility the player will be sold in the summer. With eighteen months left on his contract, Newcastle faces the risk of losing him if they are unable to secure a longer-term deal.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Joelinton’s future, Howe reiterated his desire for the player to stay, emphasizing his admiration for Joelinton as both a person and a player. However, he acknowledged that the decision ultimately lies with Joelinton and his preferences. Newcastle’s financial constraints have limited their ability to invest in the transfer market, leading to adverse effects on the team’s performance this season.
Newcastle’s financial figures for last season showed a significant rise in turnover, but the club still lags behind its rivals in the Premier League’s top six. Chief executive Darren Eales highlighted the substantial revenue gap between Newcastle and top-performing clubs in the league, emphasizing the need for significant growth in revenues to compete at the highest level.
Despite their challenges, Newcastle is striving to establish itself as a top-six sustainable club, but their current financial limitations present a considerable obstacle to achieving this goal. Ultimately, the club faces the difficult task of navigating financial constraints while striving to maintain their position in the Premier League.
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