Speaking on the Talking Transfers Podcast, Graeme Bailey has been discussing Chelsea and some of their failures in the transfer market in terms of outgoings last month.
The Blues had no problem when it came to signing players. They landed pretty much every single one of their targets, but they did fail to shift some of the deadwood in their squad.
One such player who didn’t leave was Ruben Loftus-Cheek – despite being strongly linked to Newcastle.
According to Bailey, Newcastle didn’t bring Loftus-Cheek to St James’ Park due to his wages, stating that the England international would have been the Magpies’ highest-paid player if he moved on his current salary.
Newcastle didn’t go for RLC due to wages
Bailey shared his knowledge of this situation.
“It is the wages that are the problem. It’s part of the reason Ziyech didn’t go, Pulisic before. Ruben Loftus-Cheek was linked to Newcastle, the reason that didn’t get anywhere is because if Newcastle had taken Loftus-Cheek on his full wages he would’ve been the highest-paid player at Newcastle, it’s ridiculous isn’t it?” Bailey said.
Wasn’t worth it
Loftus-Cheek is a talented player, and Newcastle are the richest club in the world, so his wages shouldn’t be an issue, should they?
Well, it doesn’t quite work like that in football.
Taking Loftus-Cheek on a huge pay-packet would not only have FFP implications, it could also cause unrest in the squad.
Let’s face it, Loftus-Cheek wouldn’t be one of Newcastle’s best players – he’s been out of form for years at this point, and if he suddenly came in as their highest-paid player, there’d be a few unhappy campers at St James’ Park quickly asking for a pay review of their own.
Newcastle were wise to turn down this chance.
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