Newcastle United tax. The theory that football clubs increase their demands for a player the moment the Magpies come calling.
Toon supporters have often felt aggrieved by reports of clubs, agents and even players themselves trying to hold their club to ransom. Since the £300million Saudi-backed takeover last October, Newcastle have been reluctant to be mugged off over recruitment.
Chris Wood aside - when the Magpies forked out an inflated fee for a striker in their hour of need - the new regime have operated astutely. Newcastle are yet to smash their transfer record post-takeover but the arrivals of Bruno Guimaraes and Sven Botman did test the £40million paid for Joelinton in 2019.
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Acting sensibly is a must when rival top-flight clubs are trying to take advantage of United’s new-found wealth. Everton, for example, reportedly slapped a £60million price tag on Dominic Calvert-Lewin. And for what? The England international bagged a measly five goals in 2021-22 and has an inferior all-time return than current number nine Callum Wilson.
ChronicleLive also understands Newcastle are interested in Toffees winger Anthony Gordon. Despite enjoying his first full campaign as a professional last season, the Magpies are being quoted around the £35million mark.
Combine the two figures and Everton have demanded £95million for two run-of-the-mill Premier League players. For context, Manchester City have just spent £54million on Erling Haaland - one of the hottest properties in world football.
Newcastle have already found value in the foreign market in Guimaraes and Botman. Imagine if either were English? The £35million paid for both would have been a fraction of the hypothetical fee.
Ben White, who signed for Arsenal last season, is the perfect case study. The Gunners broke the bank to spend £50million on the ex-Brighton defender and it is debatable whether he gets in their best XI.
Current quota rules means Newcastle must have eight homegrown players in their 25-man squad. However, a British core already exists at St James’ Park, giving Eddie Howe & Co room to manoeuvre on the continent.
Signing players of similar ilk to Guimaraes and Botman, a la Moussa Diaby at Bayer Leverkusen, would provide better value than getting ripped off by Premier League competitors. The price tags around Calvert-Lewin and Gordon’s necks proves Newcastle tax is alive and kicking.
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