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<p>No Geordie Flops</p>
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<img alt="Tonali, Isak and now Elanga? Why Newcastle rarely miss with their big-money signings" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/galerie/howe-tonali-and-isak-1752155689-172097.png" title="Tonali, Isak and now Elanga? Why Newcastle rarely miss with their big-money signings" />
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<p dir="ltr">Newcastle United appears ready to secure another significant signing this summer, with Nottingham Forest's winger, Anthony Elanga, rumored to be on the verge of joining Eddie Howe’s squad. The 23-year-old has blossomed into a notable Premier League talent, but the reported transfer fee of at least €64 million has raised eyebrows. According to the <em>BBC</em>, this would make Elanga the second most expensive signing in Newcastle's history.</p>
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<p dir="ltr">While it's a substantial amount for a player who was acquired by Forest for just €16 million a little over two years ago, Newcastle has shown a remarkable ability to execute high-profile signings without falling into the pitfalls that often ensnare other Premier League clubs. A quick look at their major signings makes this clear for fans and critics of the Saudi-owned club alike.</p>
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<img alt="Newcastle biggest signings" height="629" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/newsansicht/newcastle-biggest-signings-1752155625-172096.png?lm=1752155634" title="Newcastle biggest signings" width="503" />
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<h2 dir="ltr">Newcastle’s Impressive Track Record with Big Signings</h2>
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<p dir="ltr">As illustrated in the graphic above, Elanga’s transfer would place him just behind Alexander Isak’s €70 million move from Real Sociedad and ahead of Sandro Tonali’s €58.9 million transfer from AC Milan. Newcastle has indeed invested significant sums in recent years, but many of these players have proven to be outstanding assets for Howe’s squad, justifying their transfer fees. Notably, both Isak and Tonali have excelled at Newcastle and rank among the best players in the Premier League in their positions. Additionally, Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon have become key figures in the attack, while Joelinton and Bruno Guimarães serve as essential components in the midfield. Defensively, players like Tino Livramento (€37.2 million), Sven Botman (€37 million), and Lewis Hall (€33 million) have also been valuable to Howe’s plans.</p>
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<p dir="ltr">There are, of course, a few players whose transfer fees perhaps didn’t equate to their contributions. Chris Wood failed to justify the €30 million investment, and Michael Owen’s high-profile €25 million signing from Real Madrid in 2005 never fully lived up to expectations, despite his respectable tally of 30 goals and two assists in 79 appearances. However, if these are the only notable flops among Newcastle’s top 15 most expensive signings, it reflects a far superior track record compared to many other Premier League clubs regarding big-money acquisitions.</p>
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<img alt="Number of English signings Newcastle" height="629" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/newsansicht/no-of-english-signings-newcastle-1752155493-172094.png?lm=1752155506" title="Number of English signings Newcastle" width="503" />
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<h2 dir="ltr">Prioritizing Quality Over Quantity at Newcastle</h2>
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<p dir="ltr">While several of the previous transfers date back to 2005, most of Newcastle’s significant deals (10 out of the top 15) occurred after the club was acquired by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia in October 2021. Many expected an unprecedented spending spree, but the Premier League’s Profit & Sustainability Rules have imposed strict limits on their spending. Consequently, Newcastle has been required to sell players to balance finances. Surprisingly, since the 2022/23 season commenced, the club’s net expenditure in the transfer market ranks only ninth among Premier League teams, trailing clubs like West Ham and Nottingham Forest. Howe has acknowledged that these regulations have "dramatically" reshaped the club's transfer strategy, but they may have actually led to a more cohesive and robust team.</p>
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<p dir="ltr">As depicted in the graphic above, which tracks English clubs’ signings following the aforementioned takeover, Newcastle has completed just 21 signings since the 2022 January transfer window. This surprisingly places them 13th in the league, behind newly-promoted teams like Burnley, Forest, and Southampton, as well as mid-table aspirants such as Aston Villa, Tottenham, and Brighton. Notably, they have signed less than half the number of players Chelsea has during the same period and spent less than a third of Chelsea's expenditure on new talents. Despite this, only three points separated the two clubs in the league last season. One club pursued a scattergun approach in the transfer market, while the other adopted a measured, quality-focused strategy.</p>
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<h2 dir="ltr">The Eddie Howe Effect</h2>
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<p dir="ltr">Identifying players worthy of hefty transfer fees is one aspect, but maximizing their potential in the highly demanding Premier League requires a manager skilled in player development. Few managers in England's top-flight can match Howe's expertise in this area, and the constraints imposed on the club's transfer activities seem to have benefited him.</p>
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<img alt="Newcastle's market value rises under Eddie Howe" height="629" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/newsansicht/newcastle-marekt-value-rises-under-eddie-howe-1752155536-172095.png?lm=1752155553" title="Newcastle's market value rises under Eddie Howe" width="503" />
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<p dir="ltr">Throughout last season, Howe relied on just 24 players across 38 matches, with only Nottingham Forest fielding fewer players (23). His strategic management led the club to a respectable fifth place, leveraging the strengths of his most trusted athletes. Among his 11 most-utilized players last season, only Hall was signed in that timeframe, while many were already at the club prior to Howe's arrival, like Dan Burn or Fabian Schär, or recruited shortly after, like Guimarães or Nick Pope.</p>
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<p dir="ltr">This approach has allowed numerous key players at Newcastle to flourish and exceed expectations under Howe's guidance. As shown in the graphic above, many regular starters have seen their market values rise significantly since their arrivals. From youth prospects like Lewis Miley, whose value has increased by €25 million, to established stars like Tonali (+€10 million), Guimarães (+€50 million), and Isak (+€90 million), Howe has enhanced the performance of each player since their debuts. This is the cornerstone of Newcastle's impressive transfer market success.</p>
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