Eddie Howe has quipped even he has an ego as the Newcastle United boss discussed the 'challenge' of bringing in quality signings who will buy into the team-first mentality at the club.
Although Howe's focus is solely on Sunday's visit of Arsenal, as Newcastle bid to take another step towards qualifying for the Champions League, the Magpies boss acknowledged that he already knows 'what direction I want to take the team in and what we can and can’t do in the transfer market'. Howe, himself, has researched targets and the club's recruitment team have been planning for the window for several months now. In fact, as far back as January, sporting director Dan Ashworth said 'we're clear with what we want to do in the summer'.
Newcastle look set to be in the market for a holding midfielder, wide forward, left-back and centre-back and the emphasis will be on evolution rather than revolution once more. As ever, the club will leave no stone unturned with their character checks to try and ensure that new additions won't disrupt the dressing room. However, given how elite players are typically even more sure of their own abilities, does that task get harder the higher up the table Newcastle go?
