Newcastle are 'silent assassins' in the transfer market, says Deeney

Newcastle are ‘silent assassins’ in the transfer market despite their Saudi wealth and CAN crack the top six, says Troy Deeney… but Sunday’s opponents Man United need ‘two or three good transfer windows’ for Erik ten Hag to deliver silverware

  • Newcastle have made steady progress since their Saudi Arabian takeover 
  • Eddie Howe’s side have made sensible acquisitions in the transfer market
  • Troy Deeney has been impressed by their strategy, in contrast to Man United
  • Birmingham striker believes Erik ten Hag needs two or three more windows
  • Man United host Newcastle at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday 

Newcastle United are ‘silent assassins’ in the transfer market and have a clear direction under their Saudi owners, according to Troy Deeney.

But he believes Manchester United, their opponents on Sunday, ‘need two or three good windows’ in order to compete for top honours once again.

The two sides go head-to-head at Old Trafford in what will be an interesting test of Newcastle’s top six credentials this season.

Bruno Guimaraes has proved an inspired purchase for Newcastle United, whose sensible steps in the transfer market have drawn praise from Troy Deeney

But Deeney believes Manchester United are a work in progress under boss Erik ten Hag

Deeney, the Birmingham City striker, described Newcastle as ‘silent assassins’ in the market

Birmingham City striker Deeney, who admitted to having a soft spot for the Toon growing up, has been impressed with the progress made since their £305million buy-out by the Saudi Public Investment Fund last October.

With Eddie Howe as manager and Dan Ashworth as sporting director, they have recruited smartly.

‘I haven’t even seen Newcastle seriously linked with ‘Galacticos’ like Kylian Mbappe,’ Deeney wrote in The Sun.

‘They have got on with recruiting very good players from the next bracket down – Bruno Guimaraes is clearly an absolute star in midfield and I really like the look of Alexander Isak up front.

‘Newcastle’s defence also looks solid after some cute buys in that department too.

Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rummayyan in the stands at St James’ Park shortly after the £305m takeover by a Saudi-led consortium last October

The new owners appointed Eddie Howe as manager and the team has steadily improved

Newcastle thrashed Brentford 5-1 last weekend and make the trip to Old Trafford on Sunday

‘I had reservations about Eddie Howe as manager of this ‘project’ as I’d heard, from people who’ve played under him, that he might not be the man to handle more experienced players, but he is proving me wrong too.

‘As a result, Newcastle head to Manchester United and it feels like a genuinely big fixture again, more like it used to when [Kevin] Keegan and [Alex] Ferguson used to compete for the title.

‘I still believe it will take about three seasons before Newcastle break into the Champions League places. There are already six clubs who feel they ‘belong’ in the top four and, pretty soon, Newcastle will be the seventh.’

Deeney contrasted Newcastle’s sensible approach to Man United’s scattergun transfer policy over the past decade and suggested Erik ten Hag is still some way short of the team he wants.

‘I like what I see from Erik ten Hag so far but it is clear that he has grave reservations about his backline with probably Lisandro Martinez the only defender he is entirely convinced about,’ Deeney said.

Defender Lisandro Martinez was one of Manchester United’s summer arrivals 

United splashed out £85million on Brazilian winger Antony, who has started well for them

‘We do not know yet whether Casemiro is up to speed and whether he is ‘the answer’ to United’s long-standing midfield problem and up front it’s clear Ten Hag hasn’t settled on the central striker or the wide-left player he wants.

‘It will take United two or three good transfer windows until they can truly compete at the very top again.’

Newcastle head to Old Trafford just a point behind Man United and could end the weekend in the top four if results go in their favour.




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