Indeed, A mysterious fee in Sheffield Wednesday’s latest set of accounts has caused plenty of intrigue – and could indicate how much Mike Ashley spent to bring Steve Bruce to Newcastle United.
It is suspected that Bruce, who swapped South Yorkshire for his boyhood club in July 2019, is the subject of a ‘Confidential Compensation Package’ totalling £6,475,000 included in the club’s accounts.
The fee, which would also include compensation for the services of his assistants Steve Agnew and Stephen Clemence, would represent the highest fee ever received by Sheffield Wednesday for a player.
Dr Dan Plumley, a football finance expert at Sheffield Hallam University, told the Sheffield Star on ‘Confidential Compensation Packages’: “Usually it’s linked to the early termination of contracts. More often than not, when you see higher numbers in this it’s a player or a managerial contract.
“We obviously don’t know the full details, as it is stated, it’s confidential. But normally these things are related to contractual obligations for players or managers.”
Bruce is currently under pressure at St James’s Park amid a poor run of form which has left Newcastle United in relegation danger.
The Magpies are just one point clear of the drop zone, albeit they have played a game less than Fulham in 17th.
But, as always, there is still plenty of transfer talk swirling around the internet this morning...
Here, we take a look at the rest of the transfer talk from Newcastle and their Premier League rivals:
5. Erling Haaland and Leeds?
Jermaine Beckford has cheekily messaged Erling Haaland urging him to join Leeds United in the summer after he scored a brace for Dortmund against Sevilla in the Champions League. He tweeted: Have you heard the rumour about you joining @LUFC this summer? You might as well. (Various) Photo: INA FASSBENDER
6. Liverpool eye defender
Winston Reid has been linked with what would be a dream move to the reigning Premier League champions Liverpool. (Daily Star) Photo: Catherine Ivill
7. Leeds target £20m player
Leeds United have been with a summer move for 'long-term' Brest target Romain Faivre. It's thought that any potential transfer, with German sides Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen among those in the hunt, will require a fee upwards of £20m. (L'Équipe) Photo: FRED TANNEAU
8. Magpies rival Leeds
Newcastle United have entered the race to sign Leeds United 'target' Todd Cantwell. The Whites were linked with the attacker last summer, but were thought to be put off by the £25m price tag. (Football League World) Photo: Stephen Pond