Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has launched a staunch defence of his transfer spending amid suggestions that the club’s former recruitment set-up had not been fit for purpose.
New sporting director Paul Mitchell last week claimed the policy he had inherited from predecessor Dan Ashworth needed a significant overhaul at the end of a difficult summer transfer window during which he was ultimately unable to land top target Marc Guehi after being parachuted into the club in July.
However Howe, who had presided over the signings of Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes in the midst of a relegation battle before Ashworth took office and then saw Nick Pope, Sven Botman, Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, Sandro Tonali and Tino Livramento arrive at St James’ Park as t…