Optics nightmare - How Newcastle United welcomed Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali & Anthony Gordon interest
CEO David Hopkinson may have inadvertently allowed the transfer sharks to circle with his honest Newcastle United comments in March.
Another day, another explosive Newcastle United transfer rumour. Anthony Gordon has gone. Sandro Tonali could be next. Lewis Hall has also been linked with a potential exit. But when speculation surrounding Bruno Guimaraes gathered pace on Thursday, panic threatened to consume Tyneside.
From the outside looking in, there is a fire sale at St James' Park. Europe's elite are queuing to strip the shelves bare. But before blaming the bargain hunters, should Newcastle ask why the shop window has become so inviting?
For many, Alexander Isak turning mercenary proved the catalyst. Despite domestic cup success and Champions League qualification, the Swede downed tools to irreversibly damage the Saudi-backed project.
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There is substance to that argument. In a non-PSR world, the prospect of Manchester City selling Sergio Aguero in the infancy of Sheikh Mansour’s reign was a non-starter. Isak's departure shattered that illusion of invincibility and Newcastle have spent the past year firefighting.
Without that sale, the domino effect that dragged Gordon and Tonali into persistent transfer speculation may never have materialised. However, optics are key - and David Hopkinson may have inadvertently welcomed the vultures when facing the media in March.
"We can do that,” the CEO responded when asked whether Newcastle could make a marquee signing. A long pause followed… “But we might not be able to do that without selling somebody."
Hopkinson’s honesty is to be admired. Supporters were greased up ahead of the summer window about a big player potentially leaving. When Gordon jumped ship just days after the Premier League season concluded, the same vitriol and frustration from the Isak saga never resurfaced.
One player being sold is no biggie. But two? Three? Four? In taking a sincere approach, Newcastle have unwittingly become the prey, giving the green light for the sharks to come circling.
It must be stressed - Newcastle do not want to sell Hall or Guimaraes. Tonali is a different matter - provided the price is right. But that conflicting tone jars with the "available at the right price” message that Hopkinson drilled home earlier this year.
“We think through what players might or might not want to do this summer,” he said. “But if an Isak-like scenario presents itself again, any player under contract is going to leave on our terms and we’re going to maximise the opportunity that might represent for the club. Going forward, our strategy is to buy well and sell well.”
Newcastle did not put the 'For Sale' signs up themselves. But by publicly acknowledging that every player has a price, they may have left the shop window illuminated. Nobody should be surprised that Europe's biggest clubs have stopped to take a look.
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