English Premier League: What went wrong for Newcastle United after a stunning start under Saudi Arabia?

In stark contrast to the early days of Abu Dhabi's massive investment in English champions Manchester City, Newcastle are limited in how much they can depend on their newfound wealth from the Gulf.

With 10 games to go, Eddie Howe's season is essentially over. Photo: AFP

Despite qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years, Newcastle still had to navigate a fine line to avoid leapfrogging the PSR after spending more than £250 million (US$315 million) in the first three transfer windows under new ownership.

Chief executive Darren Eels has admitted they may need to sell one of their most valuable assets in the summer if they are to reinvest in the squad, with Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak linked with moves away.

„Sometimes you have to trade your players if we're going to get to where we want to go,” Eels said after the club posted a £73m loss for the 2022-23 season.

Worthy properties for sale in Newcastle include Alexander Isaac. Photo: Reuters

To compound their problems with PSR, Newcastle have received little reward from spending more than £100m in the 2023 summer transfer window.

The bulk of the transfer budget was thrown at Italian international Sandro Donali, but he only made 12 appearances for the club before serving an eight-month ban for match-fixing offenses during his time with AC Milan.

Another big signing, Harvey Barnes, has been one of the key players sidelined for months due to injury.

England internationals Nick Pope and Callum Wilson have missed parts of the campaign, while Jolinton and Sven Boatman are out for the rest of the season.

Newcastle's season went off the rails as injuries piled up during a tough December and January.

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Howe's men lost eight times in 10 games as they crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage, lost to Chelsea on penalties in the League Cup quarter-finals and sank to the bottom of the Premier League table.

Dan Byrne scores against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. Photo: AFP

Fortune has certainly not favored Newcastle in cup competitions.

They finished last in a competitive Champions League group featuring quarter-finalists Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund and seven-time European champions AC Milan.

In the League Cup, they defeated both Manchester City and Manchester United in the opening rounds before being beaten at Stamford Bridge in the end.

A 2-0 win at City ended their quest for FA Cup glory.

The loss of sporting director Dan Ashworth is a long-term concern at Newcastle.

The 53-year-old is on gardening leave awaiting the green light to join Manchester United, having been sidelined by Jim Radcliffe's new regime at Old Trafford.

Howe expressed concern over what Ashworth's exit would mean for his side's plans in the transfer market.

With rumors swirling that Jose Mourinho is interested in a return to the Premier League at St James' Park, the manager's future is in doubt.

Jose Mourinho is in talks with Newcastle's Saudi leader. Photo: Reuters

Mourinho met Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayan, governor of the Saudi Public Investment Fund, during a recent visit to the kingdom to attend high-profile sporting events.

Howe was so popular with Newcastle fans that he steered the club away from a relegation battle and into the Premier League's top four.

But he doesn't have the trophy-laden CV the Saudis might be looking for in the north-east of England.

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