Eddie Howe believes Newcastle should not rest on the success of their top-three standing and wants to improve his team in January - but the head coach accepts funds could be limited by FFP.
We understand that means deals for the likes of Leicester’s James Maddison are extremely unlikely given the financials that would be involved, although Howe remains an admirer.
The club’s model, at present, is also more geared towards identifying players they can develop and at prices they believe represent value, such as Bruno Guimaraes (£36million) and Sven Botman (£32m).
Newcastle are currently training in Saudi Arabia during the break for the World Cup
Howe will hold a transfer meeting with sporting director Dan Ashworth and co-owners Amanda Staveley, Mehrdad Ghodoussi and Jamie Reuben here in Saudi Arabia this week, as they prepare for the New Year window.