Kieran Maguire takeover bomb: Joelinton is scaring off potential Newcastle investors
Joelinton is a "problem cost" who may be scaring off potential investors in Newcastle United.
That is according to finance guru and Football Insider columnist Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively after The Telegraph revealed that Bin Zayed International's bid to take over Derby County had collapsed.
Maguire has previously suggested that prospective investors could choose Derby over Newcastle owing to the club's asking price of just £60million.
News that Derby are once again on the market after the failed takeover will therefore come as a blow for fans eager to see the back of Mike Ashley.
It was Ashley who sanctioned the club-record £40m Newcastle spent on Brazilian striker Joelinton in July 2019.
Maguire claims that Newcastle are lumbered with an expensive asset in Joelinton and that the club's takeover chances are harmed as a result.
He told Football Insider correspondent Adam Williams: "Newcastle's squad is worth more money because they've invested more. That has good aspects and bad aspects to it.
"The elephant in the room is the Joelinton factor. Who's going to sign him given that he's not delivered for two seasons?
"You're inheriting a problem cost which you won't have to the same extent at Derby. There is more flexibility with them"
Joelinton has scored seven goals and registered seven assists in 71 Newcastle matches.
He has not scored since November in the Premier League, a run of 13 matches.