Liverpool, Arsenal delight as Newcastle refuse to ‘break wage structure’ for two signings worth £150m

Newcastle will reportedly not ‘break their wage structure’ so Liverpool and Arsenal are more likely to sign Mason Mount and Declan Rice respectively.

The Magpies have had significant funds at their disposal since the club’s Saudi-led takeover was completed back in 2021.

Newcastle have spent over £150m on new signings this season with Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Sven Botman their most notable additions.

This spending has helped Eddie Howe’s side push for a place in the Champions League. They are currently fourth in the table and three points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham with a game in hand.

Newcastle United are expected to be busy in the transfer market again this summer as they brace themselves for their return to playing in Europe.

But The Daily Mail are reporting that ‘Newcastle will not shatter their wage structure in pursuit of stars like Declan Rice and Mason Mount, even if they qualify for the Champions League’.

They have made an ‘enquiry’ for Mount but the financial aspects of a deal for the Chelsea man are ‘prohibitive’. Newcastle also have ‘definite interest’ in Rice ‘but the figures are similar to those of his England team-mate’.

There will be a ‘huge’ increase in Newcastle’s budget if they make it into the top four but they are keen to ‘invest that money in the squad’.

Bruno Guimaraes – who is on around £120,000 a week – is currently Newcastle’s top earner. The report adds ‘senior figures are also mindful of the knock-on effect that doubling the top wage would have on others in the dressing room.

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The report adds: ‘Howe – as well as the club’s hierarchy – would love to pursue the likes of Mount and Rice given their elite-level ability and good character, sources are keen to stress that the success of their recruitment strategy so far has been built on identifying value, as opposed to paying premium prices for proven Premier League players.’.

Mount – valued at £70m – is attracting significant interest from Liverpool, while Rice could cost as much as £80m this summer and he is Arsenal’s main target.

The report from The Daily Mail reveals Leicester City’s James Maddison ‘remains on’ Newcastle’s list of targets. They add.

‘Leicester’s James Maddison remains on the list, even though the noises coming back in recent months have been of the midfielder preferring a move to London amid interest from Tottenham.

‘One name to re-emerge in conversations of late has been that of Khephren Thuram, the Nice and France midfielder. Chelsea and Liverpool have also been watching the 22-year-old.

‘Meanwhile, Manchester United’s Scott McTominay has long been admired by Howe, but the club have a cap on his valuation, should their top-four rivals demand an unrealistic fee. Bournemouth’s Philip Billing could become a squad option at a reasonable price, especially if the Cherries are relegated.’

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