Newcastle United have spent more than they ever have done on agent fees over a 12-month period.
How much was spent?
As reported by Chris Waugh on Twitter, the club have paid agents £11m between the months of February 2020 and February 2021, making it only the second time they’ve spent over £10m.
Although the likes of Jeff Hendrick, Mark Gillespie and Ryan Fraser were brought in on free transfers, the added fees involved look to have set the club back a pretty penny while both Callum Wilson and Jamal Lewis arrived as some of Newcastle’s most expensive signings in history.
Money well spent?
Outside of Wilson, you’d have to say no.
Hendrick has been criticised by Steve Howey and hasn’t scored or assisted since the opening day of the season while Lewis and Fraser have had stop-start campaigns and we haven’t seen the best of them. Gillespie, meanwhile, may only be a back-up goalkeeper but did make a mistake in the Carabao Cup win over Newport County back in September.
Given where they currently are in the table, it does not look like their £11m in agent fees has been a wise investment.
How does it compare to other teams?
According to BBC Sport, only eight teams in the Premier League spent more and they were largely the traditional big boys. Indeed, the likes of West Ham and Leeds spent £9.68m and £7m respectively but were able to significantly improve their squads over the course of the summer and January windows, with both enjoying successful campaigns as a result.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, look a completely different team to the one who survived on the final day of last season and spent £8.92m, so it’s fair to say Newcastle didn’t exactly get value for money.
