Newcastle United avoid disastrous deal as Fabrizio Romano confirms staggering £51m clause

Newcastle United’s Summer Transfer Frustrations Could Be a Blessing in Disguise

 

Newcastle United may have experienced their fair share of transfer frustrations so far this summer, but not every failed pursuit should be viewed as a major setback. In fact, some of the deals the club opted out of—or were unable to complete—might ultimately prove to be wise decisions.

 

One high-profile target the Magpies chose not to pursue further was Brentford attacker Bryan Mbeumo. Manchester United are now reportedly preparing to pay upwards of £60 million to bring the 25-year-old to Old Trafford. Newcastle had previously expressed interest in the Cameroon international, but ultimately decided to walk away from the deal, believing the valuation was excessive. That decision is now being vindicated, as it becomes increasingly clear that Mbeumo would have required a substantial financial outlay that might not have represented the best value for Newcastle’s current squad-building strategy.

 

Another case in point is that of Dean Huijsen, the highly rated centre-back who was on Newcastle’s radar. The club reportedly made a compelling pitch to the player and his representatives, but their hopes were quickly dashed when Real Madrid entered the picture. The Spanish giants made their intentions clear by activating Huijsen’s £50 million release clause, a figure Newcastle were understandably unwilling to match. While missing out on a talent like Huijsen is always a tough pill to swallow, there’s little any club can do once Real Madrid sets their sights on a player.

 

Meanwhile, the Magpies also showed serious interest in Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah. The 22-year-old centre-back had emerged as a viable option to bolster Eddie Howe’s backline, and Newcastle were believed to be confident they could secure his services for around £30 million. However, Quansah is now on the verge of joining Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen in a deal close to that figure. On the surface, it may appear to be another missed opportunity for Newcastle, but a closer look reveals why the club might be better off having not secured the signing.

 

According to reputable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have inserted a £51 million buyback clause into the deal with Leverkusen. That clause will become active in 2027, giving Liverpool the opportunity to re-sign their academy product should he continue his upward trajectory in Germany.

 

From Newcastle’s perspective, this development changes the entire complexion of the deal. Had the Magpies gone ahead with the purchase, it’s likely they too would have been asked to accept the same buyback clause, essentially meaning they would have invested time and resources into developing a player they could lose after two or three seasons. While the initial £30 million price tag may have seemed like a fair investment for a promising defender, the long-term implications of such a clause would have placed Newcastle in a vulnerable position. They would have held the player temporarily, only to potentially lose him just as he reached his peak.

 

Alternatively, if Newcastle had tried to push for a deal without the buyback condition, Liverpool might have demanded a significantly higher fee—one that would have negated any value for money and made the deal far less attractive overall. The club could also have faced further complications under the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), which already play a major role in Newcastle’s summer transfer planning.

 

In that light, Liverpool’s arrangement with Leverkusen looks like a clever bit of business on their part. For Newcastle, however, dodging this particular deal may well be a hidden victory. Instead of tying themselves into a deal that benefited Liverpool more than themselves, they now have the flexibility to seek out defensive reinforcements elsewhere—players who can contribute long-term without the looming threat of being recalled by another club.

 

Despite a frustrating start to the transfer window, Newcastle United’s refusal to overpay or enter unfavourable agreements suggests a level-headed and disciplined approach behind the scenes. While fans may be eager to see new faces arrive at St. James’ Park, these transfer near-misses could ultimately prove to be the right calls in the long run.