After the Saudi PIF’s takeover in late 2021, Newcastle United have spent a pretty penny in their ambitions to bring the glory days back to St James’ Park.
The Magpies have broken their transfer record on countless occasions, but their investments have been worthwhile as the club claimed Carabao Cup glory in 2024/25.
Players such as Bruno Guimarães, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon all cost upwards of £40m, but all three players departed Tyneside and made the hierarchy a huge profit.
However, the same can’t be said for one player, who undoubtedly failed to deliver after arriving for a small fortune during the early days of the hierarchy’s tenure.
Why Chris Wood is Newcastle’s biggest waste in recent years
In an attempt to bring immediate success to St James’ Park, the hierarchy completed the £25m signing of striker Chris Wood back in the January window of 2022.
The New Zealand international was seen as a proven Premier League option to improve the senior ranks, but it’s safe to say he failed to deliver after his big-money move.
The now 34-year-old featured 39 times during a 12-month period on Tyneside, but could only score five times – with four of his efforts coming in the Premier League.
As a result, the Magpies paid £5m per goal he scored during his failed year-long stint at the club, with such a move undoubtedly the worst since the owners took charge.
|
Chris Wood – goals by seasons |
|
|---|---|
|
Season |
Goals |
|
2025/26 |
5 |
|
2024/25 |
20 |
|
2023/24 |
15 |
|
2022/23 |
4 |
|
2021/22 |
5 |
|
2020/21 |
12 |
|
2019/20 |
14 |
|
2018/19 |
13 |
|
2017/18 |
11 |
Nottingham Forest decided to take a punt on Wood’s signature in January 2023, subsequently agreeing to sign the striker on loan with an obligation to buy.
The Reds forked out £15m to prise the attacker away from the Magpies, which saw the club make a £10m loss on his signature – not to mention the wages he cost the club.
To make matters worse for the Newcastle hierarchy, Wood has netted 41 goals in 105 appearances at the City Ground – even netting a hat-trick during his return to Tyneside in 2023/24.
Newcastle’s modern-day Chris Wood
Newcastle’s mega spending spree this summer opens the door for other players to potentially struggle to match the demands which comes with their price tag.
However, new addition Amar Dedic has already showcased his worth at St James’ Park, with the full-back already registering three assists despite his defensive role.
The midfield department has also seen various new players arrive to bolster it, with the likes of Sean Steur and Nico Gonzalez making the move during the recent summer window.
Such moves could spell bad news for Joelinton, who for so long had been a regular starter at the heart of the Magpies side during Eddie Howe’s tenure as manager.
The Brazilian, who joined for £40m back in July 2019, originally arrived as a centre-forward option, but dropped into a deeper role after failing to impress.
Such a decision undoubtedly saved his career on Tyneside, but it’s safe to say the Magpies have surpassed his level in recent times – which could lead to a sale.
The 30-year-old only started 23 top-flight matches last campaign, and has yet to feature under new boss Matthias Jaissle due to an ongoing muscle injury.
He may find a starting role hard to come by upon his return to action, especially after the hierarchy spent a small fortune in improving such an area during the recent window.
Joelinton has cost the club a small fortune during his time on Tyneside, with the £40m fee for his signature seven years ago breaking the club’s record at such a time.
Such a figure, when coupled with his £40m earnings during such a period, highlights how much he’s cost the hierarchy – with the Brazilian setting them back a staggering £80m all told.
There’s no denying he’s been a solid squad option during recent seasons, but ultimately, the former Hoffenheim man certainly hasn’t reached the levels to justify such a price tag.
It would be a surprise to no one if the hierarchy decided to cash in on the 30-year-old during next summer’s transfer window, but there’s no denying they will recoup a minimal fee.
He and Wood played a role in the early stages of the PIF’s tenure on Tyneside, but the club need to ensure no passengers are carried in their hunt for sustained success.
