Eddie Howe has said winning the Carabao Cup can help Newcastle United keep their top talent at the club.
Newcastle take on Arsenal in the first leg of their semi-final tie on Tuesday night, as the Magpies look to take a step towards Wembley. Howe’s side enter the contest on a six-game winning run and are aiming to reach a second Carabao Cup final in three seasons.
These two 🥰 pic.twitter.com/0UvhvqGg11
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) January 4, 2025
Newcastle have not won a major domestic trophy since lifting the FA Cup almost 70 years ago. Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Howe was asked whether success in the competition could persuade the likes of Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes to recommit to the club. Tomorrow’s opponents, Arsenal, have been linked with Isak, while Manchester City are admirers of club captain Guimaraes.
“It would no doubt help us in every respect, whatever angle you want to take,” Howe said.
“But we can’t concern ourselves with the outcome. We have Arsenal and that’s hard enough. All our focus is going on Tuesday’s game, then put it to bed, then we’ll focus on the FA Cup.”
Newcastle’s bid to break into the elite of English football has been restricted by the Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Despite the richest ownership in the Premier League, Newcastle have been forced to sell before buying in recent windows. Last summer, the Magpies were forced to cash in on youngsters Elliot Anderson and Yankubah Minteh to remain compliant with the rules.
“The business logic is taking over from the football logic,” said Howe, when asked if Newcastle still need to sell in order to keep investing.
“That will be the way not just for us, but lots and lots of clubs because there may be football decisions you’d like to make.
“Nothing will be bigger that the previous summer when we lost two promising youngsters. We were forced to, we had no choice. That was the business taking over the football. I think we’re still in that position to a degree.”
