Newcastle United have made some major signings since PIF bought the club, but not during Paul Mitchell’s time on Tyneside.
As he gets set to leave Newcastle United, Paul Mitchell is yet to make a serious signing for the Magpies.
PSR has held the Newcastle United sporting director back, as his St James’ Park tenure gets set to come to a premature end.
With the 43-year-old leaving at the end of June, there is still time for him to act. Paul Mitchell wants to make one key signing before he goes, and the pressure is on for it to be a good one.
Paul Mitchell questioned Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall transfers
That pressure has only intensified further due to what has come out about the former Monaco chief.
Following the confirmation of his looming departure, it has been reported that Mitchell questioned two Newcastle United transfers that were made before he arrived.
According to the Daily Mail, Mitchell made it clear that he thought the club overspent on Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall.
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The former cost £32million from Southampton, while the latter arrived for £28million from Chelsea. In total, the Magpies spent £60million on two players who could be starters at St James’ Park for the next 10 years.
They have proven to be worth the investment, despite Mitchell’s stance.
Newcastle United fans shocked by Paul Mitchell’s £60m stance
This Mitchell admission regarding Hall and Livramento has stunned Newcastle United supporters on X, many of which are happy that a change of sporting director is coming.
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One fan wrote: “If Paul Mitchell really did think that we overpaid for Livramento and Hall then good riddance. Two of the best and potentially most impactful deals the club has done in recent history.”
“Thank god Paul Mitchell is out of this club, if he thinks we overpaid for Lewis Hall and Livramento he’s out of his mind,” added a second Toon supporter.
This Newcastle United fan added: “£60m combined for both Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall. Think it’s fair to say they’ve both tripled in value, but apparently we overpaid according to Paul Mitchell! Good thing he’s gone if that’s his outlook on transfer business.”
A fourth member of the Toon Army wrote: “Mitchell thought we overpaid for Hall and Tino, but they are now bordering on being England internationals. Yes, we overpaid if you are looking to flip them for a massive profit. We most certainly did not overpay if they end up being our mainstay fullbacks for the next 10 years.”
“Anyone who thinks we overpaid for Tino and Hall deserve to be sacked,” summed up another Newcastle supporter.
Finally, this fan commented: “Don’t understand why he thought Hall and Tino were overpriced and glad he’s gone.”
Paul Mitchell’s most expensive Newcastle United signing
Had Newcastle not spent as much money on Livramento and Hall, Mitchell would have had more cash to splash during his time as the Magpies’ sporting director.
Alas, the purse strings have been far from relaxed over the past 12 months.
Mitchell’s most expensive signing during his time at Newcastle United has been William Osula, who arrived from Sheffield United for £10million. That fee could rise to £15million if certain clauses are met.
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Some could argue that Mitchell overspent on Osula, who arrived at St James’ Park with a record of eight goals in 52 appearances across his career, none of which came in the Premier League or Championship.
But the 21-year-old was brought in because of his potential, seen as a project player who could blossom on Tyneside under Eddie Howe’s guidance.
There are signs of that happening, with Newcastle happy with Osula’s progress.
He should prove to be worth the fee he cost, which is something that Livramento and Hall have already done.
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