Newcastle’s oil-rich owners will have already spent £14million by the time the January transfer window rolls around if they appoint former Arsenal boss Unai Emery. The Spaniard is reportedly the favourite to be appointed as Steve Bruce’s successor.
Director Amanda Staveley has overseen a careful recruitment process since mutually agreeing to part ways with the unpopular Bruce just under a fortnight ago.
The 60-year-old coach was handed his 1,000th game in management, the 3-2 defeat against Tottenham, before departing on 20 October.
Several names have been linked with the hotseat. The next manager is in a unique position – in the short-term they must steer Newcastle clear of relegation, with the club currently 19th in the Premier League.
In the long-term, they must rebuild a club fresh from an eye-watering £305m takeover.
Newcastle are reportedly set to appoint Unai Emery (Image: GETTY)
According to The Athletic, Emery has been sounded out as the man Staveley wants to replace Bruce. He is on a final two-man shortlist alongside former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe.
Should he join Newcastle, Emery will already have a slight disadvantage in the transfer window. That is because the cost of his appointment will contribute to a £14m spend by Newcastle’s owners even before clubs can begin buying players again on 1 January.
Emery remains in charge of Villarreal and, according to the Guardian, has a £6m buyout clause in his contract. That is on top of the £8m it cost for Newcastle to pay Bruce upon his departure.
That will take vital funds out of Newcastle’s transfer budget. Premier League clubs have reportedly already said that they will only accept premium offers from the Tyneside outfit for their players.
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"Luckily, that is one area we are not restricted by Financial Fair Play. There is no point in having fantastic players if there is nowhere for them to train.
"To get to the top of the Premier League you need a strong foundation, not just great players. They need to be robust and we need to build them.
"We also want to invest in St James’ Park — it needs a little bit more love."