Exclusive: Newcastle charged ‘Saudi tax’ by rivals – ‘It’s a real thing’
Newcastle are facing challenges securing their transfer targets this summer thanks to a “Saudi tax” that is being levied against them.
That is according to football finance expert Dan Plumley, who told Football Insider that other clubs are aware of how “wealthy” the Magpies’ owners are.
Newcastle were one of the front-runners to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford this summer, Pete O’Rourke told Football Insider exclusively.
But in a turn of events, the Cameroonian winger now looks to be heading to Manchester instead to sign with Ruben Amorim’s side.
O’Rourke then reported for Football Insider that Newcastle’s existing wage structure was a limitation to signing Mbeumo.
The Times revealed the 25-year-old wants to be paid £250,000-a-week by Man United, increasing his existing wages fivefold.
Newcastle facing transfer difficulties due to ‘Saudi tax’
Luke Edwards of The Telegraph revealed on 6 June that Newcastle were “growing increasingly frustrated by rival clubs putting a ‘Saudi tax’ on transfers and refuse to be held to ransom over key targets”
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, finance expert Plumley explained that the tax was a real thing, but it was an unavoidable reality that comes with being a wealthy club in a competitive league.
He said: “It is the nature of where Newcastle are at in terms of their ownership group, and it’s a real thing, but no one’s ever going to say it’s a real thing, I think is the best way to describe it.
“We know intuitively that clubs Newcastle are looking to buy from would do that exact thing.
“They’re going to increase the price because they know Newcastle’s owners are wealthy, and you can get into the question of is that right or wrong.
“But I think that’s the reality of the transfer market, and then it becomes a case of are Newcastle prepared to pay it?
“We’ve seen similar instances with Manchester City in the past about those inflated fees there as well.”
Nottingham Forest slap £60m price-tag on Newcastle target Anthony Elanga
O’Rourke exclusively revealed to Football Insider that Nottingham Forest will demand more than £60million for Anthony Elanga this summer.
Newcastle are in need of a new right-winger and after missing out on Mbeumo, the Swedish winger has been identified as an alternative option.
But once again, the Magpies are being met with a high asking price for one of their targets.
Elanga joined Forest in the summer of 2023 from United for £15m [BBC Sport] and alongside Chris Wood, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Callum Hudson-Odoi, was a part of a strong attacking core that fired the Tricky Trees to European football last season.