Howe rubbishes three transfer rumours, reacts to new deal and admits Kuol disappointment
Over the past few days, Newcastle United have been linked with spectacular summer moves for Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar - rumours taken with a real pinch of salt by most Toon fans.
Asked about those links during today's press conference, Eddie Howe has played down suggestions we'll pursue such superstars, insisting it doesn't fit in with the blueprint set since new owners came in.
He insists we 'can't recruit that way at the moment', but also plan to bring the 'right players' into the group. Howe spoke of the need to 'recruit wisely', hinting at moves for hidden gems who are yet to 'explode on the world stage' - not mega-money moves for world-renowned stars like Ronaldo, Messi or Neymar.
On that, the 45-year-old spoke highly of teenage sensation Lewis Miley, who signed his first professional contract with the club this week. The boss feels the 17-year-old as 'all the attributes' to become a Premier League player, stressing the importance of developing academy talents into first-team regulars; something that can 'save us a fortune' in time.
Howe then discussed Garang Kuol's 'disappointing' loan spell at Hearts, where he's failed to feature in any of their last five games and played less than 200 minutes of football since January. He believes the 18-year-old Aussie will have learnt a lot, but accepts his spell in Scotland hasn't gone as planned.
Here's what he's had to say on all of the above, starting with his response to this week's transfer links:
Howe when asked about links to Ronaldo, Messi and 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 and financially we can’t recruit that way at the moment but also we have to bring the right players into the group.
"We need to recruit wisely. I know the direction I want to take the team. A lot of the names aren't accurate. But I understand people have a job to do. We want to discover them before they explode onto the world stage. We need to go underneath, find them young and develop them.
“I will say the transfer market is such a complex decision there’s a lot of thought needed. You can’t just pick a name - there has to be a lot of thought going into both financially and looking into players.
"I’m not sure who’ve we’ve been linked with. They are difficult questions to answer. The transfer window is in the distance and is secondary at the minute.
“We are focused on training. Until we know where we stand next year it’s difficult to predict.”
Howe on a pro contract for Lewis Miley
"I'm in a difficult position because I can only promote players through the Academy that I feel are good enough to play in the Premier League and that's such a difficult journey to go on.
"Lewis has got an amazing chance to do that. At his age, he's got all the attributes and now he needs a little bit of luck and to continue on the path he's on with the great work he's already done.
"I'd love there to be a few more. It'll save us a fortune in the transfer market if we can produce more on a consistent basis."
Howe on Kuol's lack of game time at Hearts
"Sometimes through a disappointing loan, you can actually respond and learn things about yourself, which makes the loan really beneficial.
"But of course, that probably hasn't gone as we would have hoped."
