Eddie Howe insists 'world's richest club' tag is 'difficult' for Newcastle

Eddie Howe has admitted Newcastle United struggle with the 'world's richest club' tag brought about by their Saudi Arabian ownership.

The 46-year-old was appointed Toon manager in November 2021, shortly after a consortium led by the Saudi Public Investment Fund [PIF] paid £300million to buy the club from Mike Ashley.

Given PIF's colossal wealth, it made Newcastle the world's wealthiest club at a stroke and Howe would lead them to a fourth-place finish and Champions League qualification in 2022-23.

But Howe has argued that status is also a hindrance and that Newcastle had to sell popular winger Allan Saint-Maximin to Al-Ahli last summer to meet Financial Fair Play obligations.

'Whenever you hear Newcastle mentioned externally in the media, it's always the 'richest club in the world' tag that goes next to it,' Howe told The Overlap, brought to you by Sky Bet.

'That's been difficult for us, because there's always been that pressure on us even though we're not living that reality. We've had to battle that; the players have handled that really well.

'I've come from a club like Bournemouth that had to invest to grow, so I think if the owner has the money and wants to invest in a safe way and put the money into the club, then why can't he spend that money?

'I think that's how football clubs should work - we don't want to see clubs getting into financial problems long-term, but if that money is ringfenced then they should be able to use it.'

Having spent £55m on Sandro Tonali, £28m on Harvey Barnes and £35m on Tino Livramento last summer, Newcastle were forced to balance the books and sold French star Saint-Maximin to Saudi club Al-Ahli for £23m.

'Maxi was a player that I absolutely loved,' said Howe.

'He was slightly different to the