Newcastle chiefs' sensible transfer approach despite long-term Man City ambition

Newcastle have renewed aspirations of becoming one of the best clubs in the world, but they are sensibly trying to emulate the recent progress of Brighton and Hove Albion in the meantime.

Since their takeover, the Magpies have been speculatively linked with signing some of Europe’s top talents as well as proven, established players who have performed on the world’s biggest stages.

However, the vast majority of those deals have not materialised.

They have acquired the services of England international Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid and also signed striker Chris Wood after meeting the release clause of £25million at Burnley.

Have Your Say! Who else should Newcastle be looking to sign this month? Comment here.

But it is apparent that manager Eddie Howe doesn’t think the pair will be enough to save the 18th-placed side.

They have been linked with Brighton centre backs Adam Webster and Dan Burn over the past 48 hours, and have previously held talks with their technical director Dan Ashworth in the hope they can recruit him too.

The Seagulls have been quite literally soaring, they are sitting in ninth place in the Premier League and everything seems to be coming together at the south coast after several seasons of relegation battles despite showing promise.

Manager Graham Potter has led his side to six victories, 12 draws and just four defeats so far this campaign, suffering fewer losses than Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

The slow and steady move away from appearing destined for the drop to having an outsider’s chance of European football is down to the clear blueprints laid out by owner Tony Bloom to gradually become a Top Six side, and it is no surprise that Newcastle are taking inspiration from the Amex Stadium outfit.

Brighton have an established academy with a clear pathway for graduates to move into the first team, as the Magpies have previously had, and a manager that the board has wholehearted trust in, similarly to the Tyneside outfit.

Although Howe’s appointment didn’t have the same ‘wow factor’ as other candidates for the job, his record at Bournemouth shows that he can steer a team clear of safety and also push up the table, which is what Newcastle need in the short term.

Brighton also have a strong squad with a sprinkling of top-quality talent in the shape of Yves Bissouma, Marc Cucurella and Tariq Lamptey, with the majority of their best acquisitions a credit to the work of Ashworth and his team.

Both Webster and Burn have been impressive this season, especially recently in the absence of captain Lewis Dunk, though a deal for either seems instinctively unlikely unless serious money is put on the table.

If there is truth to the rumours then Burn may be the more likely to depart given that he is in the final 18 months of his contract and was a boyhood Newcastle fan, though he has been public about his enjoyment in working under Potter.

Both Englishmen are logical, though potentially pricey, targets. Signing Premier League proven players will be a ‘must’ for Howe, as shown this window, and not aiming for the stars with their recruitment is sensible when time is of the essence.

It would be unrealistic of the Newcastle chiefs to instantly arrive at St. James’ Park, pump money into the club and instantly become an almighty, deadly force like Manchester City as the prospect of relegation is too much of a risk as it stands to attract top talents.

But if the Magpies are able to avoid the drop this season before gradually transitioning into a top-six/eight side then they will have a fighting chance of signing some of the very best.

Although to some Brighton fans it may seem like the Saudi Arabian owners are going hammer and tongs to prise away crucial assets from their club, Newcastle are sensibly trying to follow in their footsteps. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and it is a credit to the project at the club.

It is a smart approach by Newcastle, and one that fans must be patient with but also can be excited about.