Newcastle United are not far off making a "proper statement signing", with pundit Frank McAvennie believing it is only "a matter of time". 

The Lowdown: European finish?

Eddie Howe guided the Magpies to Premier League safety last season and has taken the club to the Champions League places during the current campaign.

Newcastle have lost just one of their opening 15 top-flight fixtures in what has been an excellent start, with the club appearing to be real challengers for a European finish in 2023.

The Latest: Pundit drops big claim

McAvennie, talking to Football Insider regarding potential transfers, believes that Newcastle will soon make a signing that the rest of the footballing landscape will take note of.

“Newcastle have done extremely well and it’s all down to the hard work of Eddie Howe,”

“Newcastle have also done all of this without signing a proper superstar. After the takeover, they were linked with some of the biggest names on the planet.

“While they have recruited well, there hasn’t really been that massive signing where everyone has stopped to look.

“I do think that signing is close though. Maybe January, maybe next summer after they get into Europe. A proper statement signing.

“They have the money to do it, everyone knows it. So it’s a matter of time rather than if they will, if that makes sense.

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The Verdict: Exciting...

You could say that McAvennie is correct with his admission, and his comments are certainly exciting heading into 2023. With Newcastle's approach to rebuilding the club back into its status as a genuine giant, decisions have been astute and entirely calculated.

The foundations of the side seem to be in place, so the upcoming winter transfer window could be the right time to pull off a high-calibre move, but of course, the player will need to fit in and have the correct attitude in order for both parties to succeed.