Premier League rules ‘block’ Newcastle United from making free agent signing as West Ham look to strike deal
Several Premier League clubs are still active in the free agent market now the summer transfer window has closed – but Newcastle United aren’t one of them.
Newcastle ended the summer without making a ‘major’ summer signing with the free transfer of Lloyd Kelly being the most notable addition to Eddie Howe’s squad. The Magpies also explored a free transfer of former Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo in June but the defender joined Chelsea instead.
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And Howe then ruled out any further free agent signings to his squad. But that was before the Marc Guehi transfer saga that ran through August and ended in Newcastle failing to land the Crystal Palace centre-back. With Howe admitting Newcastle hadn’t strengthened as much as they would have liked in certain areas in the summer, calls were made for the club to look at the free agent market this month.
One defender attracting Premier League interest this month is former Liverpool star Joel Matip. The 33-year-old was released over the summer with West Ham United, Fulham, AFC Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers all linked with a free transfer for the Champions League winner who made 150 Premier League appearances under Jurgen Klopp. Geordie Journos reflect on Newcastle United’s impressive start to the season
But those clubs have something that Newcastle don’t and that is space in their 25 man squad list to add any potential free agent signings.
Newcastle submitted a list of 25 senior players to the Premier League earlier this month which included five goalkeepers and left no space for any further additions. That prevents Newcastle from signing any free agents this year to be included in their squad for the first half of the 2024-25 Premier League season.
