‘Delusional’ – Newcastle United’s PIF questioned after costly decision
Newcastle United’s PIF ownership group have had their ambitions questioned following a turbulent transfer window.
The Toon were hit by the long-running Alexander Isak saga and his desire to leave the club and not play for Newcastle.
Isak joined Liverpool for £125million on transfer deadline day after Newcastle had signed Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa as late replacements.
Newcastle’s inability to sign players sooner has been costly at the beginning of the Premier League season, with no win from their opening three matches.
Newcastle take ‘huge hit’ post transfer window
The Daily Mail [3 September], state that Isak’s exit from the club “asks far wider questions about the Saudis’ commitment to Newcastle.”
They continue: “Their [PIF] arrival was supposed to mark the end of them playing second fiddle to Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United but even though there has been considerable progress, that progress appears to have stalled well short of the summit.
“There has been precious little investment in the training ground. It is the same story with St James’ Park, which is a magnificent arena but an arena in need of modernisation. There has been talk of building a new ground but nothing more.
“The revisionism that insists that, actually, Newcastle have had a good transfer window is delusional. They have lost their best player and their status as one of the up-and-coming teams in the league has taken a huge hit.”
Eddie Howe weaker after Alexander Isak blow
Football Insider Verdict
Losing Isak will be a big blow to the club’s ambitions to challenge Europe’s elite, and goes against their message that the 25-year-old was not for sale.
The club have Champions League football to look forward to this season, but Eddie Howe’s squad is weaker for the loss of Isak.
Howe has to hope Woltemade hits the ground running to replace Isak’s goal return, though the manager needed to add more depth and quality across the side.
| Nick Woltemade | Stats |
| Appearances | 36 |
| Goals | 18 |
| Assists | 3 |
Newcastle’s owners have struggled against PSR rules, which hit the club hard in the summer window previously, but having sold Isak for a British transfer record, there can now be no excuse for investment if required in the January window.
Actions now need to be taken if the PIF are serious in taking the next step to becoming title contenders.