Newcastle ‘want to sign Bryan Mbeumo in January’ but financial restrictions would force Eddie Howe ‘to sell a big-name player’

Newcastle United could make a move for Brentford’s prized forward Bryan Mbeumo in January, but face financial restrictions that could trigger a player fire sale.

According to the Telegraph, current financial regulations means if Newcastle were to spend big on Mbeumo in January they’d likely have to sell a player in the summer to balance the books.

Profit and sustainability rulers (PSR) have already stymied the Tyneside club’s efforts to invest in its squad last summer, despite on paper being technically one of the richest clubs in the world.

Newcastle was forced to sell wingers Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh to Nottingham Forest and Brighton respectively, to avoid a PSR breach in the summer.

The report by the Telegraph says Newcastle ‘languish behind the Big Six in revenue streams despite the takeover by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF)’ back in October 2021.

But any big-money signing could force Eddie Howe to have to sell a player in the summer

Mbeumo is thought to be the ideal signing to fill a hole on Newcastle’s right wing

This has forced belt-tightening measure at St James’ Park since the rules again changed last year, and after the club’s owners had already laid out more than £400million on players. 

Now, the club needs to recoup money from player sales to balance against this spend so it does not fall afoul of regulations.

The report states the PIF ‘will continue to invest in the club’ despite the recent announcement that the sovereign wealth fund will cut back funding from 30 per cent to around 18-20 per cent.

In light of this, they’ve reassured supporters they are ‘still willing to invest in a new stadium and the general growth of the club’.

Meanwhile, the club’s recruitment team are intensifying their recruitment plans but PSR will be a limiting factor as to who and how many players they can recruit.

Manager Eddie Howe will be looking to fix ‘glaring holes’ within the squad, especially at centre back and right wing. 

Newcastle were thought to be leading the race to sign Crystal Palace centre back Marc Guehi in summer, but were thwarted in their pursuit by PSR. 

Newcastle’s executive team Paul Mitchell (left) and Darren Eales (right) have strict PSR regulations to contend with despite continued backers from owners in the PIF

Antony Gordon has signed a long-term lucrative contract, but could be for sale in the summer

Senior players, such as Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson (who has started two games in 2024), remain on the books despite looking likely to be moved on, while Anthony Gordon has signed a lucrative long-term contract.

If Newcastle do pursue Mbeumo, they’ll subsequently have to sell someone in the summer. 

A big name like Gordon is therefore mooted to leave St James’ Park, despite signing a new contract, while Bruno Guimarares and Alexander Isak could also attract bids from the league’s biggest clubs.