Newcastle United's attempts to bring in further firepower this summer will be boosted by the club's ability to pay transfer fees in instalments - which was not the policy in the Ashley era.
The previous regime felt that paying fees up front was in the club's long-term interests as it gave Newcastle certainty over spending in future windows. Derek Llambias, Newcastle's former managing director, even went as far as to say that it was a 'far healthier financial model'.
Mike Ashley very rarely deviated from this policy, but the former owner made an exception last summer so Newcastle could sign Joe Willock on a permanent deal from Arsenal. Newcastle did not have enough money to pay the fee up front so, in the words of former head coach Steve Bruce, the Magpies 'broke all our transfer rules for the last few years' by spreading the payment out, which was 'not the policy of the club'.
