Newcastle’s 10 most expensive transfers of all time

Updated: 16 Nov 2023 09:11 GMT
6 min read

Newcastle's Saudi Arabia takeover during the 2021-22 season immediately propelled them into the richest club in world football following years of stagnation under previous owner Mike Ashley.

The new regime have splashed the cash since their arrival to rejuvenate a side that were previously amongst the lowest spenders in the league, as the Magpies look to re-establish themselves as a top Premier League side.

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Newcastle were previously one of England’s most entertaining clubs and a side with a rich history of fascinating and remarkable transfers.

Below, FootballTransfers lists the 10 most expensive transfers in the club’s history.

10. Joe Willock - €29.4m (from Arsenal, 2021)

After constant struggles to nail down a starting role at Arsenal, Joe Willock moved to Newcastle on loan in January 2021 and was nothing short of a revelation. In just 14 Premier League games, the young midfielder scored eight goals and played a pivotal role in the Magpies avoiding relegation.

As such, when the player pushed for a move away from Arsenal during the following summer transfer window, Newcastle were quick to pounce and signed the then 22-year-old for a substantial sum.

While the run of goals slowed down for Willock upon his permanent move, he has become a more complete midfielder under Eddie Howe and remains a crucial part of the Magpies' team.

9. Chris Wood - €30m (from Burnley, 2022)

It may not have been the Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland that Newcastle fans were hoping for, but Newcastle completed the acquisition of Chris Wood from Burnley in January 2022.

The signing was mostly made to weaken a relegation rival and it worked as Wood helped Newcastle avoid relegation in his first half-season at the club, while Burnley dropped to the second-tier.

However, Wood only scored four goals in 35 Newcastle games before joining Nottingham Forest on loan in January 2023, a move which became permanent six months later for €17m.

8. Sven Botman - €37m (from Lille, 2022)

Lille's star defender Sven Botman headed to the Premier League to complete a transfer to St James' Park in the summer of 2022. He rejected the advances of Serie A giants Milan to join Newcastle, which highlighted the club's enticing project under the Saudi owners.

© ProShots - Sven Botman has been a giant at the back for Newcastle

The Dutchman proved why Newcastle splashed the cash on him during his debut season as he helped the Magpies qualify for the Champions League after a stunning Premier League campaign.

Howe's team conceded just 33 league goals (the joint-lowest with Man City), with Botman emerging as one of the English top flight's very best defenders.

7. Tino Livramento - €37.2m (from Southampton, 2023)

Former Chelsea academy prospect Tino Livramento was snapped up in 2023, with Newcastle spending €37.2m on the Englishman despite not having played for a year due to an ACL injury.

The defender won Chelsea's 'Academy Player of the Year' award in 2021 and shone during his debut campaign at Southampton before suffering the aforementioned ACL setback.

However, he is one of the most talented youngsters in the world and has the potential to elevate Newcastle to regular challengers in European competition.

6. Bruno Guimaraes - €42.1m (from Lyon, 2022)

Newcastle's €42.1m signing of Bruno Guimaraes was the first real big-money arrival under the Saudi regime and he quickly proved just why the club were desperate to bring him in during the midst of a relegation battle.

© ProShots - Bruno Guimaraes is a Newcastle fan favourite

The Brazilian rejected the chance of a relegation release clause and endeared fans by insisting he wanted to become a legend at the club, a feat he is well on the way to achieving after leading Newcastle to survival in his first season and the Champions League in his second.

Guimaraes has been one of the best-performing midfielders in the world since his arrival at Newcastle.

5. Joelinton - €44m (from Hoffenheim, 2019)

Joelinton arrived at St James' Park as Newcastle's new number nine despite never playing as a lone striker during his time in Germany with Hoffenheim. The Magpies were happy to spend a staggering €44m on the Brazilian despite this and the move did not work out initially.

He struggled in his first campaign under Steve Bruce and was considered one of the biggest flops in Premier League history after scoring just six times in his first 69 games.

However, the arrival of Eddie Howe saw Joelinton moved into a new midfield role, and he is now one of Newcastle's most influential players. Furthermore, his form in this position has attracted the attention of the Brazil national team and he is now a fan favourite after a dramatic turnaround of fortunes.

4. Harvey Barnes - €44m (from Leicester, 2023)

Newcastle capitalised on Leicester City's shock relegation in 2023 by signing English winger Harvey Barnes for a fee of €44m.

The 25-year-old arrived at St James' Park off the back of a 13-goal season for the Foxes to bolster the Magpies' frontline ahead of their long-awaited return to the Champions League.

He left Leicester having scored 45 goals and provided 32 assists in 187 appearances for the club.

3. Anthony Gordon - €45.6m (from Everton, 2023)

Anthony Gordon was a long-term target for Eddie Howe and Newcastle, but they had multiple bids turned down by Everton in 2022 before finally agreeing a deal in January 2023.

The forward had previously been chased by Chelsea, but the Blues opted for the other options after Thomas Tuchel left the club.

Gordon departed Everton with just seven goals in 78 games for the Toffees, but Newcastle had seen enough to spend over €45m to bring him to St James' Park.

He won the 'Player of the Tournament' award as England were victorious at the U21 European Championships in 2023, just months after he joined Newcastle.

2. Sandro Tonali- €64m (from Milan, 2023)

Sandro Tonali became the most expensive Italian player in football history when he left his beloved AC Milan for Newcastle in the summer of 2023 for €64m.

Tonali had emerged as one of Europe's most exciting young central midfielders during his time at San Siro, playing a pivotal role in Milan winning their first Scudetto in 11 years in 2021-22.

Often compared to Andrea Pirlo, the former Milan man is a far different player to the Italy legend, but Tonali has admitted that he idolised Rino Gattuso growing up, and his style is similar to his former Milan manager.

1. Alexander Isak - €70m (from Real Sociedad, 2022)

Newcastle confirmed the signing of striker Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad in 2022, completing the deal for €70m.

Isak left La Liga with 44 goals in 132 Sociedad games, while he managed to establish himself as one of Europe's best young forwards during his time in Spain.

The Sweden international struggled with injury during his first season with the Magpies, but he still managed to notch 10 goals in just 22 Premier League games in his debut campaign.

He is Newcastle's most expensive signing ever.

The 10 most expensive Newcastle signings of all time

Player	From	Fee	Year
1. Alexander Isak	Real Sociedad	€70m	2022
2. Sandro Tonali	Milan	€64m	2023
3. Anthony Gordon	Everton	€45.6m	2023
4. Harvey Barnes	Leicester	€44m	2023
= Joelinton	Hoffenheim	€44m	2019
6. Bruno Guimaraes	Lyon	€42.1m	2022
7. Tino Livramento	Southampton	€37.2m	2023
8. Sven Botman	Lille	€37m	2022
9. Chris Wood	Burnley	€30m	2022
10. Joe Willock	Arsenal	€29.4m	2021