Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has canned a longstanding transfer rule at St James' Park ahead of the summer window.
Under Mike Ashley's rule, Toon managers were not always permitted to sign players in their peak years without having to make a compelling case to the club's powers that be. In January, United signed 31-year-old Kieran Trippier and 30-year-old Chris Wood for a combined total of £37million - a move that was deemed as last throw of the dice to avoid relegation.
But it is a move that is set to stay in place if it means signing the right type of player or character in the summer window. And Newcastle scouts have had the restriction to concentrate on young players with sell on value removed from their assignments.
