Newcastle United have been dealt major blows since the start of the summer transfer window, with the likes of Chelsea stealing top targets including Joao Pedro.
The first few weeks of the summer transfer window have been anything but kind to Eddie Howe’s side, but there is still a lot of time to get deals done.
It looks like James Trafford’s signing will be completed soon, despite the fact that Newcastle United had a £26m offer rejected by Burnley on Saturday. It has been confirmed that Trafford has agreed personal terms with Newcastle, so it is now down to the two clubs to agree on a transfer fee for him to sign.
Elsewhere, it was confirmed that Newcastle are set to miss out on Joao Pedro to Chelsea. Reports suggested that the 23-year-old was open to joining the Magpies. However, it has since been confirmed that Pedro never wanted to sign for Newcastle and always favoured the move to Chelsea.
Earlier in the window, Newcastle were given huge wage demands for Bryan Mbeumo, which they were not willing to part with. Amid interest from Manchester United and Tottenham, it looks like Mbeumo could now stay at Brentford, putting a lengthy transfer saga to bed.
While Newcastle assess their options, a new report has shared a “reluctant acceptance” within the club which hinders their transfer plans.
Eddie Howe watches on from the bench during a Premier League game between Arsenal and Newcastle United.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Newcastle United are struggling to agree personal terms with top targets
While personal terms have already been agreed with Trafford, the same cannot be said for their other targets.
Newcastle have a strict wage structure that they are not willing to break for new players. That means some of their top targets will immediately price them out of a move with their demands. It was believed that Mbeumo wanted £250,000-a-week at Newcastle; that figure would have made him the club’s highest earner by a big margin.
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With that being said, The Athletic has reported that Newcastle have privately accepted that they are not yet on a level to compete with the likes of Chelsea or Man United on personal terms. Those two Premier League clubs are willing to offer their targets much more than what Newcastle have put forward.
That could prove to be costly this summer, but it shows that Howe only wants players who are willing to come and make a name for themselves. The likes of Bruno Guimaraes joined Newcastle and earned a new deal in 2023 after putting in the work – he is now Newcastle’s top earner on £160,000-a-week.
Additionally, Newcastle are set to give Alexander Isak a new deal. The belief is that Newcastle are willing to break the wage structure for Isak, showing how much they value his services on Tyneside.
Newcastle United’s top five earners after personal terms acceptance
Wages will likely continue to be a factor in any deal Newcastle do this summer. The Magpies still have Anthony Elanga high on their list of targets, but there is no word on how much he would want to join.
Despite that, Keith Downie is confident Newcastle will sign Elanga, although they will have to offer Nottingham Forest much more than the £45m that was rejected in June.
Newcastle United’s highest earners Weekly wage Annual salary
Bruno Guimaraes £160,000 £8.32m
Anthony Gordon £150,000 £7.8m
Joelinton £150,000 £7.8m
Kieran Trippier £120,000 £6.24m
Sandro Tonali £120,000 £6.24m
Newcastle’s wage bill is very large as it stands, with several players earning over £100,000-a-week. However, Newcastle have the chance to sell some of their fringe players to free up space in the wage bill for their top targets.
With two months left in the summer window, Newcastle are still looking to make that first major signing fans are desperate for. With players like Harvey Elliott also linked with Newcastle, a signing could be on the horizon.