Transfer Centre

Eddie Howe rules out Newcastle United signing Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 05 May 2023

Howe rules out Newcastle signing Ronaldo, Neymar

Eddie Howe insists that Newcastle United have no plans to try to sign either Cristiano Ronaldo or Neymar during the summer transfer window.

Manager Eddie Howe has dismissed speculation linking Newcastle United with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar.

The Magpies have put themselves within touching distance of qualifying for next season's Champions League, requiring three wins from their last five Premier League games to get over the line.

Howe has refused to entertain that prospect with a number of testing fixtures still on their schedule, including a showdown with second-placed Arsenal on Sunday.

Nevertheless, talk persists that the North East outfit may make an attempt to sign a global superstar if they earn a return to European football's top table.

Ronaldo and Neymar have seemingly emerged as realistic possibilities given their respective situations at Al-Nassr and Paris Saint-Germain.

New Al Nassr signing Cristiano Ronaldo during his presentation on January 3, 2023 © Reuters

Portuguese forward Ronaldo has allegedly not settled into life in Saudi Arabia and would prefer a return to Europe, preferably Spain, at the earliest opportunity.

Meanwhile, a group of PSG ultras visited Neymar's house earlier this week to demand that the Brazil international leave Parc des Princes in the summer.

However, regardless of how those situations progress, Howe has insisted that Newcastle will not enter the race to sign either player.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference, as quoted by BBC Sport, Howe said: "We could not be able to come close to affording those players.

Brazil's Neymar celebrates qualifying for the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup on December 5, 2022 © Reuters

"They are the best players in the world. We are never going to be in a position currently to afford those transfer fees and wages, so we need to go underneath and find them young and develop them into the players they can be."

Despite the funds now available at St James' Park, it has been claimed in the past that there is a relative status quo with regards to wages, something which would change with the arrival of either Ronaldo or Neymar.

Furthermore, Newcastle are keen to keep their position with FFP under control, despite suggestions that there are plans to make a big-money bid for Leicester City playmaker James Maddison.

Ronaldo and Neymar would also offer no resale value, former Manchester United man Ronaldo now 38 years of age with Neymar having turned 31 in February.