What did Newcastle manager Eddie Howe say about signing Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar?

Those of you of a certain vintage will remember Newcastle United being known as ‘The Entertainers’ in the mid-1990s, with the likes of Alan Shearer, Faustino Asprilla and David Ginola and Les Ferdinand terrorising Premier League defences across the land. Their swashbuckling approach won them plenty of admirers but no trophies and of the most iconic teams in recent memory in English soccer was soon taken apart after Kevin Keegan’s departure. Almost 30 years on, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar are being lined up for a sequel…or are they?

Nouveau-riche Newcastle

It’s been quite a season for the men in black and white. Of course, domestic and presumably European domination is all part of the plan following their Saudi-led takeover in October 2021, which drew fierce criticism from all corners of the globe. With a bottomless pit of cash apparently at their disposal, Newcastle have been tipped to turn the Premier League’s ‘top six’ into a ‘top seven’…and maybe they’re already done so.

Eddie Howe’s instant impact

A dreadful start to the first ‘Saudi season’ at St James’ Park led to serious concerns that they could suffer relegation to the Championship. However, the decision to replace Steve Bruce with Howe proved to be a masterstroke, with the former Bournemouth coach leading the Magpies out of trouble and to an 11th-place finish.

And that forward momentum has continued to such an extent that, almost a year later, they are now on the verge of qualifying for the Champions League for the first time since 2002-03. In fact, only a disastrous collapse in the final five matches of the season would see them fail to finish in the top four, as they hold a six-point advantage over fifth-place Liverpool and have a game in hand.

Of course, almost-guaranteed Champions League soccer and deep pockets has led to inevitable speculation about how they can improve their team for next season, and that’s where Ronaldo and Neymar come into the equation.

What’s gone wrong for Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr?

It’s safe to say that neither is enjoying the best period of their career at the moment. The Portuguese’s first half-season with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia looks destined to end trophy-less, he’s been threatened with imprisonment and deportation for making obscene gestures on the field and has had personal issues to contend with off it.

What’s gone wrong for Neymar at PSG?

The Brazilian, meanwhile, has said in the past that he wants to stay at Paris Saint-Germain but the feeling doesn’t appear to be mutual, despite his contract running until 2027. The in-turmoil Parisians are looking for a reboot and are even willing to send him out on loan, while a group of PSG fans turned up outside his house to make their unhappiness with him clear; they have been left impressed by his perceived underperformance while on ludicrously high wages and general lack of dedication.

A fresh start at Newcastle?

Both players may be looking for a fresh start, and where fresher than the north east of England? The question was put to Howe in his pre-match press conference before Newcastle’s game against Arsenal on Sunday and he was quick to pour cold water on the speculation, citing a lack of finances ‘at the moment’ and cryptically suggesting that the idea of working with such personalities wouldn’t especially appeal to him.

Why will Newcastle not move for Ronaldo or Neymar?

“I think that kind of speculation has been there from day one, since the takeover, really. Naturally, everyone has then assumed the biggest names in world football will be going to Newcastle. We’ve not recruited that way. I think financially we can’t recruit that way at the moment”, claimed Howe.

“But also, we have to bring the right people and the right players into the group. I always say the transfer market is such a complex decision. You can’t just pick a name and bring them in. There’s got to be a lot of thought going into what we’re doing, both financially and looking at the players”.

Make what you will of Howe’s ‘the right people’ comment. Too bad, it would have been entertaining, if nothing else.