Newcastle are reportedly forking out more than £100,000 each week to pay players who no longer represent the Premier League club.
The Magpies became the wealthiest club in the world when a Saudi-backed consortium completed a takeover last October, ending Mike Ashley's unpopular 14-year reign at St James' Park. The new owners have since revamped the playing squad and coaching staff.
Eddie Howe replaced Steve Bruce as manager last November and brought in several players in January and the summer - including Kieran Trippier, Nick Pope, Sven Botman, Bruno Guimaraes, Chris Wood, Alexander Isak, Dan Burn, Matt Targett and Loris Karius.
Yet Newcastle also let go more than 20 players in the summer - and five of those are still receiving huge pay cheques from them, according to The Telegraph. Here is how much cash these players reportedly receive each week and how they've fared this season.
Jeff Hendrick - £50,000-a-week
It's believed Hendrick received a huge salary when he signed a four-year contract at St James' Park in the summer of 2020. At the time, the Republic of Ireland international, 30, had just completed a successful four-year spell at then Premier League club Burnley.
Hendrick's time at Newcastle didn't go to plan, playing just 27 games before being sent out on loan to QPR in January. He then joined Reading on a season-long loan in the summer and it's claimed the Championship club are just paying a 'tiny fraction' of his wages.
Isaac Hayden - £50,000-a-week
Hayden was handed a six-year contract by Newcastle in the summer of 2020 but was sent out on loan to Championship side Norwich in June after playing just 14 Premier League games last season. The Canaries are reportedly paying just two fifths of his salary.
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Still only 27, Newcastle could make a profit on Hayden if he impresses at Carrow Road this season. Norwich will automatically sign the midfielder if they are promoted to the Premier League this term, but he is still waiting to make his debut for the club.
Dwight Gayle - £60,000-a-week
Gayle joined Championship side Stoke on a free transfer in the summer, but Newcastle are still paying most of his salary. It's thought the Toon are forking out around £40,000-a-week to ensure the former Crystal Palace striker, 32, is remunerated as agreed.
Newcastle handed Gayle a hefty three-year contract just 14 months ago, so they are expected to keep on paying most of his wages until June 2024. The forward has failed to score in his 10 Championship appearances this season.
Federico Fernandez - £45,000-a-week
Just like they are with Gayle, Newcastle are reportedly paying a chunk of Fernandez's wages following his summer move to Spanish side Elche. The Argentina international, 33, signed a new two-year deal with the Magpies in July 2021.
He's signed a one-year contract at Elche and is likely to agree a lower salary when that deal expires. According to Salary Sport, Fernandez is on £45,000-a-week.
Ciaran Clark - £40,000-a-week
Clark joined Sheffield United on a season-long loan in the summer. As the defender's Newcastle deal expires in June, the loan transfer is effectively a permanent one-year deal.
Clark, 33, is believed to be earning £40,000-a-week after being handed a new two-and-a-half-year contract in January 2021, but the Blades are paying just a third of that. The Republic of Ireland international has played twice for his new club and is currently injured.
