Alan Shearer: It could get rocky at Newcastle following transfer policy switch

Newcastle could be in for a rocky couple of years

I've read the reports about Aston Villa and Johan Manzambi. I don't know how restricted Villa are in terms of signings but it would be a bit of a surprise if they were to go out and spend £50 million on him, because of the PSR restrictions.

But the reports are they're going to do that. I just think, from a Newcastle fan point of view, that you've lost your best player last year (Isak) for whatever reason. You've lost Anthony Gordon for whatever reason. You've lost Tonali for whatever reason. And clearly if Bruno was to go, then that would be four of your top players gone within two years.

And there's obviously been a shift in how they're going to sign players. They are going to go out and sign young, hungry players? But that in itself doesn't guarantee you success. It is a really important couple of months coming up for Newcastle because they've obviously sold players for big money and they've got a couple of youngsters in. But sometimes youngsters need time to develop as well and instead of coming into the pressure cooker of the Premier League and a big club like Newcastle. So, there are no guarantees. Yeah, it's been a frustrating time off the field for Newcastle fans at the minute.

I don't expect us to be challenging top six next season. I think because of the situation we're in we might have to accept that we could have a couple of rocky years that is back to building and back to getting some sort of stability.

I think what Eddie Howe has done at Newcastle, what he's done for us, he's without doubt the man to take Newcastle into the season regardless of what is going on.

Bruno Guimarães leaving would be really frustrating

I don't think Bruno has personally come out and said he wants to leave Newcastle. I think his agent sort of has. I guess there are people speaking on behalf of him, that's what it sounds like.

I've seen this, I've seen it happen before. I've been in the game long enough to know what goes on. Representatives are probably speaking to Arsenal, and Arsenal are not speaking to Newcastle, thinking they can get him out for £50 million quid, which when you see Tonali's gone for £100 million...

I know Bruno is 28 or 29, so I guess Arsenal would be reluctant to pay that and it would be such a bad luck if Newcastle were to sell him. It's a frustrating time having read those reports, we'll just have to sit tight and see what happens. I hope he doesn't go as I said last week.

Newcastle absolutely needs to rebuild. As I said before, Isak, Gordon, Tonali have gone, it would be such a bad luck if Bruno Guimarães went as well and it would be really frustrating.

Andrey Santos would be a good buy for Manchester United

The signing of Andrey Santos by Manchester United is really difficult to judge because, from the player's point of view there are not many who are going to get in ahead of Enzo Fernandes and Caicedo in the starting XI. Clearly there's a talent there and United have been willing to take that risk. I guess it's a lot of money for someone that hasn't played on a regular basis, but I think the ability is there with him and given time and given regular playing time, he could be a good buy for United.

On the Tielemans signing, maybe Villa have to get one out before they get one in because of the financials. He's a very good player, he's very talented on the ball and I like him. But I guess if Villa are going to go that way and buy Manzambi they have to get someone out first.

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