Newcastle to rely on loan deals only in bid to stay in Premier
League
• Chris Hughton
targets Wilshere, Welbeck and Cleverley
• Stoke keen on exchange deal
involving striker Andy Carroll
-
guardian.co.uk,
Monday 10 May 2010 20.02 BST
Chris Hughton would love to get his hands
on some cash for new players as Newcastle face life in the Premier
League. Photograph: Tony O'Brien/Action Images
Chris Hughton will attempt to use the loan system to keep Newcastle United in the Premier League next season after
being told he has no money to spend on new players.
Ideally,
Hughton would like to borrow Jack Wilshere from Arsenal, and Danny
Welbeck and Tom Cleverley from Manchester United as he endeavours to
infuse the Championship winners with some much-needed pace and
creativity.
Wilshere has spent the past season on loan at Bolton
Wanderers while Welbeck and Cleverley have been at Preston North End and
Watford respectively, but there are no guarantees that Newcastle's
manager will secure the trio's services for what promises to be a most
challenging campaign.
Last night St James' Park officials issued a
rather aggressive 1,000 word plus statement revealing that Hughton
would not be provided with fresh funds to restock his squad this close
season as the club strives to "break even" over the next five years.
During this period of financial rebalancing it will concentrate on
developing young talent in the academy.
"The first-team squad that
won the Championship this year will form the basis of the team for next
season in the Premier League," the statement read. "There is no plan
for new capital outlay on players."
This at least leaves Hughton
potential scope to sell in order to buy. Newcastle's manager has said he
does not want to offload anyone but Tony Pulis is keen to discuss a
possible exchange deal involving Andy Carroll and one or two of his
Stoke City players.
Steven Taylor could move on this summer when
the Argentinian internationals Jonás Gutiérrez and Fabricio Coloccini
may also be in the shop window. Coloccini, who earns around L70,000 a
week, is a big drain on Newcastle's resources and a significant
contributor to their annual L40m player wage bill but it is doubtful
whether any other club will match his handsome salary.
Bob Moncur,
the former Newcastle captain, yesterday said: "It's disappointing to
say the least. Next season will be difficult. In some ways, it takes the
pressure off Chris Hughton but it will be really hard."
Newcastle's
owner, Mike Ashley, has clearly tired of pumping money into a club
which recorded an operating loss of L37.2m in 2008-09, estimates a
shortfall of L32.5m for 2009-10 and has its L20m overdraft facility
fully committed. Although promotion will be worth around L60m, Ashley's
overriding priority is clearing debts while trusting that Hughton can
somehow avoid relegation.
guardian.co.uk