Eddie Howe has admitted that he is wary of Newcastle United being 'handcuffed' by Financial Fair Play restrictions in future windows as the Magpies boss prepares for a 'different' January to a year ago.
Newcastle may be flying high in third place at the moment, of course, but that was certainly not the case 12 months previously when Howe's relegation-threatened side desperately needed reinforcements. Newcastle quickly raced out of the blocks by signing Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid in the first week of the window before Chris Wood, Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn and Matt Targett all followed.
Those additions were part of a £210m spending spree in the mid-season and summer windows in 2022 and Howe has previously warned that the Magpies do not have the same 'gap' to 'attack' when it comes to Financial Fair Play rules next month. Newcastle's rivals, in contrast, have larger revenues and these sides have already signalled their intent before the window has even opened: Liverpool have signed Cody Gakpo from PSV; Chelsea have bought Molde striker David Datro Fofana; and Arsenal remain in talks with Shakhtar Donetsk to bring in Mykhaylo Mudryk. Newcastle, in contrast, may not strike quite so early this time around.
READ MORE: Everything Eddie Howe said on Leeds, injuries and January transfers at Newcastle press conference
"We're in a different position to where we were last year," Howe told reporters. "Signing Kieran was an incredible moment for us because it changed the way players looked at us.
"You've got someone who's achieved what he's achieved in the game in a great moment in his career and he decided to take on a full-on relegation battle. It spoke volumes for his character because, knowing my conversations with him, it was all about the football - it wasn't about anything else.
"This year, we're in a different position now. We're in a different position financially. The squad is looking different so it's a case of improving the squad if we can with the financial restrictions that we have. It's a very delicate one."
Howe still hopes his squad will be stronger by the time the window shuts on January 31 as, this time, the Magpies boss attempts to reinforce his side from a position of strength and Jonjo Shelvey's injury could yet change the club's plans. Shelvey is only set to be out for between six and eight weeks, but the Magpies previously tweaked the profile of player they targeted when Callum Wilson suffered a hamstring injury last summer.
No formal decision has yet been taken on whether bringing in a midfielder now becomes an immediate priority and Howe described the club's approach to January as 'a forever changing thing day by day'. Much may yet depend on the right target becoming available in what is traditionally a notoriously difficult window to do business in. Finding such a player in any position is easier said than done when a settled group are already performing so well.
"If you're looking to improve the team - the starting XI as it is if we have no injuries - then that is a challenge in the market currently," Howe added. "Again, with an unlimited budget, that might be possible. Not that we necessarily have a budget at the moment but with Financial Fair Play looming and with those restrictions, it's almost impossible.
"Then you're looking at the squad and can you improve the squad? Now that's a different question. Anything we do in January then potentially harms us for the summer so there is always another window coming up and what you don't want to do is handcuff yourself for future windows. There's a lot to consider."
READ NEXT
Jurgen Klopp gives ultimate compliment to Newcastle after Liverpool boss' previous 'ceiling' dig
Selfless reaction hints at what Newcastle transfer targets have to do if they get dream move
Leeds United fume at having less rest than Newcastle but Jesse Marsch shows a 'lot of respect'
Newcastle reaction should worry Leeds United and Arsenal as elite Eddie Howe is tough on players
Newcastle owners' next move will be telling, transfer plans may change and Leicester apology
