Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe's frustration at the summer transfer window's inflated prices was telling as he held his Press conference pitchside in Saalfelden on Friday afternoon.
It was a million miles away from Rafa Benitez's political speech in 2018 when he made it clear in no uncertain terms that United were in trouble if they didn't up their game in the transfer market. But what Howe did underline delicately was that Newcastle definitely need a few more signings if they are going to get anywhere near matching expectations of a top 10 finish this term.
Things weren't going to plan against 1860 Munich as they tried to rattle Newcastle in the first half on a baking hot day in Austria and the friendly had more of a cup tie feel against lower league opposition about it as their boss Michael Köllner prowled the touchline and baited over zealous Reuf Salihovic into issuing a couple of yellow cards.
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United had the luxury of bringing on 10 subs to change things and in the second half, with Bruno Guimaraes and Sven Botman on the field, Newcastle controlled the game. Bruno was only on 29 minutes and picked up an assist and a goal.
If Howe can land a couple more players as good as Bruno then there will be nothing to worry about next season. And it's in that final third where the concerns lie.
Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin are match winners when at the top of their game, but what if one of them gets injured or they have an off day? A winger and another striker are required if Newcastle are to be serious top 10 contenders.
Howe doesn't really do rants but he spoke truthfully about the situation in what could be read as a plea to sporting director Dan Ashworth and incoming CEO Darren Eales. He said: "We have definitely improved the group but we have more work to do. We’re still in the process of working very hard behind the scenes to try and improve the squad.
"It remains to be seen whether we can get a deal done. It is a difficult window, a difficult market, high prices and very limited availability. I’m sure we can hopefully land a player who can make a difference to us."
One deal United have been linked with is Duvan Zapata of Atalanta who the club have scouted for a number of years. A price enquiry was made but sources close to the player say no bid was forthcoming.
There is also a suggestion that the Colombia striker's price tag is too high and is above the remaining budget Newcastle have left to spend on players. If that price tag is the £34million quoted previously that would make sense.
In a week in which Newcastle were quoted £50million for Alexander Isak of Real Sociedad - a player that netted just six La Liga goals last term - Howe's pointed remarks to the "high prices" in this window make sense.
Howe was delighted to get Botman on board early as well as Nick Pope and Matt Targett but in an ideal world he'd love to have that new striker at the club's dinner table at their luxury hotel in the Alps. The problem being, Newcastle - with clubs sensing they can make a quick buck from their rich Saudi owners - aren't living in one.
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