Stuart Pearce criticise Newcastle owners for what they are about to do

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Newcastle United are closing in on their third senior signing of the summer, with Tino Livramento set to arrive from Southampton.

It was reported on Thursday that the Magpies had agreed a fee with Southampton, who are finally happy for the 20-year-old to swap St Mary’s for St James’ Park.

Livramento is now going to have a medical on Tyneside, and it is hoped that he could actually make his Toon debut during this weekend’s Sela Cup. That would be a real treat for supporters as they prepare to return to St James’ Park for the first time since May.

The deal for Livramento will take Newcastle’s summer spending beyond £100million, with the club spending £55million and £38million on Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes respectively.

Livramento is not going to be cheap either. It has been claimed by some outlets that the deal could eventually reach £40million with add-ons.

Southampton are getting the major fee that they wanted, but former Toon defender Stuart Pearce has hinted that the Magpies are paying over the odds.

Stuart Pearce thinks Tino Livramento fee is ‘excessive’

Pearce has spoke to TalkSPORT about Livramento’s move from Southampton to Newcastle, and believes that the fee is over the top.

“We talked earlier in the show about value for money signings,” he said (August 4th, 10:50am).

“That seems a really excessive amount for the player where he is at this moment.”

Newcastle looking at the bigger picture with £40m deal

On the face of it, you can see where Pearce is coming from. Livramento only has one season of senior football under his belt, and he missed almost the entirety of last season due to an ACL injury.

On top of that, he will arrive as a backup to Kieran Trippier. He is not even being signed as a starter for Eddie Howe.

However, Newcastle are looking at the bigger picture when it comes to Livramento. Sure, he is not a £40million player right now, nor is he going to start every week for the Magpies.

But the potential is there for all to see. It is a deal with an eye to the future, with Livramento lined up to take Trippier’s place when he either leaves or calls time on his career.

When that time comes, Newcastle have a readymade replacement. He will prove to be worth £40million in the long-run, providing he develops and achieves his potential on Tyneside.

It might seem excessive right now, but it won’t in five years.