Newcastle CEO: we will maximize team interests if another Isak situation arises

Newcastle United Chief Executive David Hopkinson and Chief Financial Officer Simon Capper held a press conference at St. James' Park, which revealed several major announcements: the club will sell the stadium operating rights to a subsidiary controlled by its owner; and the biggest highlight is that the futures of core players such as Howe and Sandro Tonali have become uncertain.

Craig Hope, chief football reporter for The Mail, has sorted out the core points of this press conference and interpreted the deep impact behind this key press conference of the club. This article is the second part.

Tonali and other stars may be sold this summer

Background: Last summer, Newcastle United sold Isak to Liverpool for a British football transfer record of £125 million. Now Manchester United and other giants are interested in buying Tonali, and Gordon and Livramento are also deeply involved in departure rumors.

Reporter: Newcastle United used to be a traditional selling club, then transformed into heavy investment in signings. Is it returning to the trading business model now?

Hopkinson: Our strategy in the future will be precise signings and reasonable sales. Quality signings are not simply high-priced investments, but the introduction of players who can create value for the club. We will lay out on multiple fronts: cultivate our own youth training, tap the potential of market players, and maximize the value of the lineup within the budget.

Reporter: Will you pursue maximizing the offer when selling players?

Hopkinson: Without a doubt.

Reporter: Looking back, was selling Isak the right decision?

Hopkinson: In my opinion, this transfer was very wise.

Reporter: If core players such as Tonali take the initiative to apply for departure, how will the club respond?

Hopkinson: We do not have fixed player sales criteria and will assess the intentions of each player this summer on a case-by-case basis. If a transfer opportunity similar to Isak appears again, the club will lead all transfers of players under contract, and we will maximize the team's interests. Players must follow the club's arrangements when leaving.

Reporter: Can you finalize a major signing this summer?

Hopkinson: There are operational conditions, but it is likely that players will need to be sold first to free up salary and transfer space.

Reporter: Due to financial rules, Waltmad and Visa have not performed as expected, and a low-price sale will result in a significant loss. Does Howe have to make good use of the two players?

Hopkinson: It can be compared to real estate: every asset and every highly paid player has its own value. We will do everything possible to maximize the income of each player, whether they stay or transfer.

Reporter: The outside world believes that Howe is unwilling to let players go. Does he agree with the team's future trading and operating ideas?

Hopkinson: Howe is experienced and thoughtful. He knows the importance of salary control and lineup operation, and he also understands the club's demands for competitive performance. We communicate smoothly, and he fully agrees with the current operating plan.

Reporter's comment: As Hopkinson said, any asset has a transaction price, and sentiment cannot override commercial rules. Every player has the possibility of leaving. Constrained by the Premier League's salary cost rules and UEFA's financial terms, this model has long been the norm in football. If Manchester United offers £100 million for Tonali, the team will likely choose to let him go. Gordon and Livramento also face the risk of leaving. Howe and senior management are facing a complex lineup adjustment problem.

The £250 million investment in signings last summer determines that the team must sell core players this summer in order to unlock a new transfer budget.

Hopkinson's statement that he recognized the sale of Isak caused heated discussions among fans, but objectively speaking: the player insisted on leaving and the transfer fee set a British record, making this deal practical enough. The team should not have dragged on until the last day of the transfer window to finalize negotiations with Liverpool.

Newcastle United's biggest constraint at the moment comes from financial rules: UEFA's 70% expenditure limit is benchmarked against the Premier League's 85% salary cost red line. If they fail to qualify for European competitions next season, even if they reach the Premier League's expenditure limit, it will lead to non-compliance with UEFA requirements in subsequent seasons. In short, if they fail to qualify for the Champions League, the team can only sell players to raise money if they want to significantly rebuild their lineup.