Newcastle United are set to change their approach to player contracts after the infamous Alexander Isak transfer saga, which has been described as “damaging” despite the record fee received for the striker,
in The Athletic’s Chris Waugh words.
Waugh explained that one of Ross Wilson’s first responsibilities as the new sporting director of the Magpies will be ensuring the club is better prepared for similar situations in the future, and way in advance to avoid another getting-caught-by-surprise turn of events.
“There will undoubtedly be lessons learned — the Isak saga was damaging, even if Newcastle eventually extracted a British-record transfer fee for the striker,” Waugh wrote.
Waigh added that Newcastle have already been monitoring Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) for two years, recognizing that their early post-takeover spending was unsustainable and needs better balancing and care.
“Selling Isak gives Newcastle significant wriggle room for a few windows, but their revenues must still expand before their concerns evaporate,” Waugh wrote.
On release clauses, Waugh cited Bruno Guimaraes’ £100 million time-based clause as an example of a risk that ultimately worked in Newcastle’s favor.
“Would Newcastle have been better served giving Isak a release clause? It is a debating point,” Waugh wrote, noting that any clause in the £80–100 million range would have been seen as cheap in hindsight.
Waugh emphasized that wages remain the key PSR constraint. Newcastle, Waugh believes, “cannot afford to pay multiple players £250,000 a week,” as Ross Wilson gets tasked with balancing the impending contract extions of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Sven Botman, and Tino Livramento within sustainable limits.
“Ultimately,” Waugh wrote, “that may not prove lucrative enough to keep all star players on Tyneside.”
