Report: Newcastle can’t compete with wages West Ham and Villa are offering

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Agreeing transfer fees with clubs is proving to be an issue for Newcastle United this summer, but so are wages.

The Magpies have made three signings during the current transfer window, bringing in Matt Targett, Nick Pope and Sven Botman.

However, the club have so far struggled to add attacking reinforcements. It’s not for the lack of trying, with plenty of exciting players linked.

Hugo Ekitike came close, while Moussa Diaby is a top target. There was also brief speculation that Alexander Isak could move to St James’ Park.

But while Newcastle might have the richest owners, they are not the richest club in the world – much to the shock of agents and other clubs.

Agents and clubs shocked that Newcastle can’t compete with mega wages

The money in the Premier League right now is crazy. The big clubs pay players astonishing wages, and Newcastle simply cannot compete.

According to the Telegraph, the Magpies cite financial fair play reasons as to why they are unwilling to pay crazy wages in the region of £200,000-a-week. They add that this has shocked agents and clubs.

Despite having incredibly rich owners, Newcastle have been held back this summer financially. The Telegraph add that the likes of Aston Villa and West Ham are offering much higher wages than us. That’s an issue as they’re the kind of teams we are competing with.

But which team is in the wrong? Signing players on big money contracts can often end in heartbreak. If things go wrong, you end up with a player who is draining resources and can’t be moved on.

Wages will eventually increase at St James’ Park, but it will be a steady process. Paying staggering fees of £200,000-a-week would not set a great precedent for the other players in the squad right now.

That’s the figure Jesse Lingard wanted, and it’s also the figure Isak wanted. Newcastle said no, and will hopefully be better for it in the long run.

However, the ‘Newcastle tax’ is causing real problems this summer and making it difficult for the Magpies to land attacking reinforcements.