Newcastle: Pundit predicts ‘essential’ changes – ‘They have to go further’ – Footymercato.com

Newcastle United “have to go further” with their transfer business if they want to compete.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Celtic and Scotland striker Frank McAvennie claimed it is “essential” that Eddie Howe’s side recruit a new midfielder this summer, but a squad overhaul will be required in the future.

The club are keen to do business this winter and as reveled by Football Insider (22 November), they could sign out-of-favour Paris Saint-Germain striker Hugo Ekitike on loan this January.

Football Insider also revealed (18 November) that Newcastle could trigger the release clause of Stuttgart striker Serhou Guriassy after his 16-goal haul this season.

With huge signings on the cards this winter, McAvennie has predicted wholesale changes to the squad at St James’ Park.

“I think it’s essential Howe brings in a midfielder,” he told Football Insider.

“Newcastle are so far ahead of where I thought they’d be but there’s a few creaks in the door now and they’re starting to let a draught in.

“They’ve not got the squad. It’s very rare you get everyone firing on all cylinders and that’s what happened against Paris Saint-Germain.

“All of a sudden, they get turned over the following weekend. That’s football, but that’s why they need more players.

“They’ve not spent a lot. For a big club, you’d think they’re going to go and buy all these superstars and they’ve not done that yet.

“They’ve bought decent players and they’ve still got a lot of homegrown players there. A couple of years down the line they won’t be there.

“Newcastle have a path, but they have to go further than that to compete.”

In other news, Door opens for Newcastle to sign Hugo Ekitike after deal previously agreed.