Exclusive: Newcastle must deal with extra transfer premiums – ‘There’s a tax’
Newcastle are struggling to make new additions this summer with Premier League rivals like Brentford adding a “premium” on transfer fees.
That is according to football finance expert Dan Plumley, who exclusively explained to Football Insider that it was just the way the “English to English market works”.
Newcastle narrowly avoided failing the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) last summer, thanks in large part to selling Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest and Yankuba Minteh to Brighton.
The club have toed the line and showed restraint in January 2025 by not making any additions, despite being in a fierce competition for Champions League qualification.
With the PSR monkey off their back, the club are expected to be active in the transfer market this summer, and Newcastle were the front-runners to sign Bryan Mbeumo.
But with wage demands of £250,000-a-week, according to The Times, Newcastle’s wage structure was a limiting factor in their pursuit of the Brentford star, Pete O’Rourke exclusively revealed to Football Insider.
Newcastle’s Premier League rivals charging ‘premium’
Luke Edwards revealed in The Telegraph on 6 June that “Newcastle are 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 confirmed the existence of a “Saudi tax” but explained it was simply something that wealthy clubs had to deal with.
The finance guru also cited Newcastle’s frustrations at the inflated fee being charged by Brentford for Mbeumo as the way the “English to English market works”.
He said: “Newcastle have to deal with Brentford etc. taxing them, the English market is always like that.
“There’s always an England-to-England tax as well, of course, because if you are selling to a rival that you’re in direct competition with, then the likelihood is you increase the price tag.
“I do think the market’s inflated in general terms, we know transfer fees are high.
“Newcastle are going to be in that group of clubs that, if they are looking to buy, then they know there’s going to be a premium on that.
“And I understand the rhetoric from the club, I get that, but I think that’s just the reality of where they’re at and if clubs are looking to sell to Newcastle, particularly Brentford and some stars from other English teams as well, there’s going to be a bit of a tax on top of that.
“It’s just the way the English to English transfer market works.”
Newcastle and Everton leading the race for Jack Grealish
O’Rourke revealed exclusively to Football Insider that Newcastle and Everton are the front-runners to sign Jack Grealish this summer.
The England international was left out of Man City‘s Club World Cup squad and will likely use that time to pursue a move away from the Etihad.
Whilst Newcastle have suffered setbacks in their pursuit of certain targets due to the “Saudi tax” that is being levied against them, it will open doors elsewhere.
Few teams will be able to afford Grealish‘s wages, giving the Magpies a free run at trying to sign the 29-year-old, should they wish to do so.