Newcastle United owners hailed for ‘brilliant’ £82m development as deal agreed – pundit
The Newcastle United owners deserve credit for overhauling the club’s defence before the start of pre-season.
That’s according to former Leeds United stopper Paddy Kenny, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the Magpies’ latest signing.
Tuesday (28 June) Newcastle announced they had agreed a deal in principle for the signing of Sven Botman, 22, in a deal Sky Sports claim is worth £35million.
He is Eddie Howe’s fifth defensive signing following the arrivals of Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Matt Targett and Nick Pope since he took the Toon job in November.
As per Sky Sports, the Magpies signed Trippier and Targett for £12million each while Dan Burn and Nick Pope arrived for £13million and £10million respectively.
This means Newcastle have spent £82million on their defence, roughly the same amount of money Man United spent on Harry Maguire back in the summer of 2019.
“They have done some brilliant business since January,” Kenny told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
“I like Burn, you have Botman coming in as well. Trippier and Pope, for me, there are some great signings there.
“We touched on it before January, they had to tighten that defence up. They had the worst defensive record in the league.
“They had to sort it out and for me, they have done that. For me, they are going to be solid next season.
“It’s been great business and the owners deserve credit for that.”
Targett re-joined the club after spending the second half of the 2021-22 season on loan at St James’ Park.
Newcastle begin their 2022-23 season with a home game against Nottingham Forest on 6 August.
In other news, Newcastle United have been issued a ‘big’ Nick Pope reveal by one of the player’s ex-teammates after signing confirmed.