'Determined': Journalist gives exciting insight into Newcastle United's transfer strategy

The first of the two summer transfer windows has come and gone, and it's no surprise to Newcastle United fans, after three windows of little movement, that the Magpies haven't added to their first-team.

However, this was a one-off window designed to help those clubs participating in the Club World Cup. The actual summer window opens next week, and that's when Newcastle will look to do business.

It has obviously been a frustrating time to be a Newcastle fan, watching players we were reportedly targeting move elsewhere while we stand there looking on, barely moving.

However, The Athletic's Chris Waugh does believe there is method to their madness.

newcastleunited.com

Chris Waugh believes Newcastle were reluctant to play inflated prices in the mini-window

Waugh and George Caulkin have been discussing the transfer market from Newcastle's point of view, and Waugh has made clear that the PIF are determined to back Eddie Howe as much as they can, but also hints that their strategy is more forward-facing.

"Fundamentally, Newcastle want to significantly bolster Howe’s squad while maintaining financial prudence. The owners are determined to avoid going multiple windows without investing again; they want to leave PSR headroom to recruit again in next year’s winter window and beyond.

"Newcastle are adamant they will not overpay for players, though, believing present asking prices are inflated. However, sizeable expenditure is anticipated; the boardroom-level desire to support Howe within sustainable limitations is absolute."

Newcastle want to continue spending in each window

As fans, it's easy to get frustrated by the penny-pinching ways of the owners, but they didn't become one of the wealthiest sovereign wealth funds by making poor decisions.

If what Chris Waugh is saying is true, then it's fantastic to hear that we aren't just going to blow all of our money in one window like we did when Eddie Howe first arrived, although that was absolutely necessary and ultimately worthwhile.

Newcastle don't want to find themselves in a cycle of having one big window and then having to bide their time while they repair the damage to their PSR headroom, or whatever new system the Premier League put in place that stops us from reaching our potential.

Hopefully, this short-term frustration will lead to long-term success.