Newcastle agree summer transfer – ‘Paul Mitchell deserves big credit’
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has insisted Paul Mitchell “deserves big credit” for banking Newcastle United an instant £20million profit on Lloyd Kelly.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 67-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – claimed “trading is the way forward” for the Magpies to give themselves “breathing space” in the transfer market.
Kelly has joined Juventus on an initial loan deal with reports suggesting the Italian giants have an obligation to buy him in the summer for £20million.
Newcastle only signed the defender on a free transfer last summer (2024) and he played just 14 times before leaving for Juve.
Miguel Almiron and Kelly departed St James’ Park in the mid-season window but Eddie Howe’s side did not move to add any new faces to their squad.
Football Insider revealed on Tuesday (4 February) that Howe wanted a right winger and centre-back in January.
‘Trading is the way forward’ for Newcastle, says Wyness
Wyness insisted the Magpies are still paying for their “splurge” in the windows following the Saudi-backed takeover in 2021.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “We know Eddie Howe was desperate to get people in, but in the end Newcastle had to wait for disposals.
“This was a particularly good one, Kelly out for £20million in the summer – that’s a big number.
“They’ve been successful with trading recently after admitting they had to improve in that aspect.
“They splurged initially and are still paying it back, that’s why they are so tight on PSR.
“They’re managing to conjure up these good deals and Paul Mitchell deserves big credit.
“Trading is the way forward for Newcastle to get some real breathing space for an improvement of the squad.”
In other news, Liverpool to join Newcastle in Marc Guehi race after mega bid submitted.
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