Alexander Isak is about to help Newcastle United in their fight against UEFA
Alexander Isak could be about to help his former club Newcastle United in their fight against UEFA.
Isak completed a deadline day switch to Liverpool from St James’ Park, breaking the British transfer record in the process.
His departure from Newcastle was riddled with controversy, as he refused to play or train with the squad until his exit was granted.
However, in a surprising turn of events, the Swedish striker’s £125m move to Anfield may actually benefit the Tyneside club.
Alexander Isak fee will reduce Newcastle’s UEFA punishment
On Tuesday, Football Insider revealed that Newcastle had definitely breached UEFA’s financial regulations for the 2024-25 campaign.
However, Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that the money that the Magpies have coming in from the sale of Isak will help reduce their overall punishment.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that Newcastle will only end up being fined around £6m by UEFA.
Clubs in European competitions were required to keep spending on player wages and fees to 70 per cent of revenue, while they were permitted to lose up to £77m over a three-year period.
Wyness added that UEFA will look kindly on Newcastle, as they can see they have funds coming in
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I think one thing that’s going to help mitigate this is the Isak deal, £125m. UEFA will see that there isn’t going to be that breach going forward when that money comes in.
“I think it’ll be a slap on the wrist. I think there will be a fine. I think we could be looking at something like about £5m or £6m, which is still significant. But Newcastle, they’re in Europe and they’re getting some money from it. So it’ll just be a reduction in that European money coming out this year.
“I think they can get over it though and I think the Isak funds that UEFA will see coming through will help them because they’ll see that this won’t be a repeated breach.
“That’s the biggest thing that UEFA are after, they don’t want repeated breaches. So if they can see clubs are actually trying to fix this sort of issue, I think they’ll be more lenient. So overall, I think it’ll be a slap on the wrist.”
Newcastle well-placed to increase revenue
Meanwhile, Newcastle are well placed to agree commercial deals in the North American market following David Hopkinson’s appointment, sources have told Football Insider.
Hopkinson is the new chief executive at St James’ Park, with the 54-year-old starting work on Tyneside earlier this month.
The Canadian also previously operated as chief commercial officer during his 24 years with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, focusing on Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors’ commercial activities.
Sources say Eddie Howe’s side will now be looking to utilise Hopkinson’s contacts in the North American market to agree new commercial deals.
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