January 07, The Athletic UK Newcastle reporter Chris Waugh (say no
A few) updated the transfer question and answer column to answer questions from Newcastle fans.
First of all, there is no definite "real news", because for Newcastle internally, they are still evaluating.
But TA mentioned that for Newcastle, whether it is midfield or other positions, it is the most realistic choice to obtain players in the form of loan, or loan + buyout, loan + mandatory buyout in the winter window.
In addition, Newcastle’s wage bill is growing much faster than profits and commercial income, so under normal circumstances, Newcastle’s primary goal next is to clean up the team’s redundant staff, including a series of positions such as goalkeepers are potential targets.
Jonathan P asked TA a question in the second part of the column: Can you confirm that Ronaldo’s rumors are false?
For those who don’t know, Jonathan is referring to the fact that Ronaldo has a clause in his new Saudi Arabian club Riyadh Victory’s contract that allows him to join Newcastle on loan if they qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Apparently Newcastle is 80 per cent owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and that is the apparent source of the link, but Howe denied the club was involved in such discussions.
Eddie Howe (who can’t tell T-shirts either) doesn’t want a superstar like Ronaldo in his squad, nor does Newcastle’s sporting director Ashworth (who can’t tell T-shirts either)
, Breaking the world record salary to sign a player who will be 38 years old.
(Howe doesn’t want aging superstars with big egos such as Ronaldo being added to his squad, nor is Ashworth keen to sign a soon-to-be-38-year-old on ludicrous, world-record wages.)
Of course, it is true that Ronaldo and Riyadh may have negotiated the relevant clause – although other reports claim it did not – but even if it did exist, Newcastle have no intention of exercising it.
(but even if it does exist, Newcastle have no intention of ever exercising it.)