Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe hopes that one day he will be the manager to welcome a world-record signing to St James' Park - just like Kevin Keegan did in 1996 when the Magpies signed Alan Shearer.
It was in Japan that the final touches that the £15million deal for Shearer were put in place as Newcastle toured Osaka. In comparison to 28 years ago, it feels like Newcastle are pushing up the hill to get a deal done for a top senior signing and while Bloomberg describes them as a club worth £1bn it does not feel like that given the PSR rule change.
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Ahead of tonight's clash with Urawa Red Diamonds, Howe was asked whether he ever envisaged signing a marquee player like Shearer one day. Responding to a question on whether the club still have a "blockbuster" in them, Howe smiled and then told Chronicle Live: "I think a blockbuster like that might be difficult. The rules have changed.
"Transfers have changed. I hope that it's not permanently. I hope in time we will improve our position to enable to sign that calibre of player. Currently that is difficult for us right now."
Indeed, after selling Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh to raise funds to stave off the threat of points deduction, Howe is clear on United's plans for the remainder of the window. There is money to spend but exactly how much?
Newcastle head coach Howe said: "We are navigating a period where we have to be very aware of what we are doing financially. We are having to plan ahead. But I hope that won't be forever."
Howe admitted he may even be open to a loan deal if the right offer comes along. After signing Lloyd Kelly on a freebie from Bournemouth, he said: "All markets but I think the free transfers are gone. We’ve got one in Lloyd who I think is a brilliant one and there are a couple of others out there but I think now it is about probably signing players for money. Loans are always difficult."
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