‘Just ask Tottenham’: Merson urges Newcastle owners to not repeat Levy’s transfer mistake

Add as preferred source on Google

Paul Merson has used Tottenham as an example while offering some transfer advice to Newcastle United’s new owners.

The Magpies’ fortunes look like it’s about to change. Mike Ashley is finally gone and the new, wealthy owners could potentially make Newcastle one of the most powerful sides in the Premier League.

The January transfer window will be PIF’s first chance to show the world what they’re capable of. Many expect them to spend big money on a number of players, but Merson has urged them not to make the same mistake that Tottenham did when they sold Gareth Bale all those years ago.

Spurs earned a then world record £85.3 million for Bale, who joined Real Madrid (BBC). Daniel Levy decided that the best way to spend that money is by bringing in seven different players instead of signing two or three world-beaters.

That proved to be a huge mistake, one that Newcastle should not repeat under their new owners.

Merson: Newcastle shouldn’t repeat Tottenham’s transfer mistake

The Sky Sports pundit wrote in his column on The Daily Star: “I wish I had a tenner for every time I’ve written about a Newcastle takeover, which has now been completed. I’d still be a few quid short of the Saudi royal family, but it’d be a start.

“The thing is, I’ve thought for years ‘Why doesn’t someone buy Newcastle and have a right good go at it?’ They sell out their ground even when there’s not very much to get excited about. It’s a proper club. They’ve been wallowing around in mediocrity for far too long.

“Buying £10m and £12m players doesn’t win anything these days – just ask Tottenham. They sold Gareth Bale and bought loads of players in that bracket. It just doesn’t work.

“But, if the new owners decide to have a real go for it, then Newcastle might start to get the kind of side their long-suffering fans deserve.”

It will be interesting to see what Newcastle’s new owners decide to do in January. They first have a decision to make on the managerial front, but once that’s done, all eyes will be on the transfer window at the start of next year.