Ranked: Newcastle’s top five most expensive players ever
Newcastle United have endured a tough summer so far, but they’ve still managed to get some major deals over the line.
The Magpies signed Aaron Ramsdale on loan from Southampton after missing out on James Trafford.
More prominently, Anthony Elanga joined from Nottingham Forest for a whopping £55million (BBC), placing him right among Newcastle’s most expensive signings of all time.
But where exactly does Elanga figure on that list, and who else have Newcastle spent big on in the past? Here are their five most expensive players ever — with each of them coming within the last three years.
5 – Harvey Barnes
- Signed from: Leicester City
- Fee: £38m
Harvey Barnes arrived at Newcastle in the summer of 2023 to the tune of £38million (BBC), as the Magpies prepared for their long-awaited return to the Champions League.
The England international hasn’t set the world alight — not helped by a foot injury in his first season at the club. However, he’s proven a solid contributor in the final third, registering 14 goals and eight assists in 63 appearances across all competitions.
Barnes registered nine goals and five assists in the Premier League last season, sitting only behind Alexander Isak and Jacob Murphy among his teammates in terms of direct goal involvements.
4 – Anthony Gordon
- Signed from: Everton
- Fee: £45m
A lot of scorn was poured on Newcastle when they spent £45million (BBC) to bring Anthony Gordon from Everton in January 2023. Indeed, the winger made a very slow start to life at St. James’ Park in terms of raw numbers, notching just one goal and zero assists in 16 Premier League matches.
However, what a decision that signing turned out to be.
In his first two full seasons in the black and white jersey, Gordon has hit 21 goals and 23 assists in 90 outings, helping the club finally end their trophy drought in last season’s EFL Cup, while securing another Champions League berth.
On a personal level, Gordon has also broken into the England team and was part of the Three Lions’ run to the Euro 2024 final, while he is now heavily linked with boyhood club Liverpool.
3 – Sandro Tonali
- Signed from: AC Milan
- Fee: £55m
Sandro Tonali has not been without his complications at Newcastle, famously serving a 10-month ban ending in August 2024 for gambling offences.
And yet, the Italian remains incredibly popular among Newcastle fans, thanks to his fine performances on the pitch.
Tonali — signed for £55m from AC Milan two years ago (Sky Sports) — has seven goals and three assists to his name in 57 appearances for Newcastle so far.
More importantly, the midfielder is a key figure for Eddie Howe thanks to his possession quality and dynamism on both sides of the ball.
2 – Anthony Elanga
- Signed from: Nottingham Forest
- Fee: £55m
As mentioned, Elanga joined this summer from Forest for the same huge fee Newcastle paid to sign Tonali.
Only time will tell whether or not the Sweden international is worth that outlay, but his six goals and 11 assists in 38 league games for the Tricky Trees last season suggests he will be.
1 – Alexander Isak
- Signed from: Real Sociedad
- Fee: £63m
It took a whopping £63m (Sky Sports) for Newcastle to convince Real Sociedad to part ways with Alexander Isak in August 2022, but he’s been worth every single penny.
The Swedish striker has registered Premier League goal hauls of 10 in 22 games, 21 in 30 and 23 in 34 during his two-and-a-half seasons at the club so far, with his overall total now standing at 62 strikes in 109 outings.
Isak has been key in Newcastle twice qualifying for the Champions League and winning the EFL Cup.
The only problem is that form has brought plenty of outside attention, with Liverpool now relentlessly chasing Isak’s signature.