Report: Newcastle ready to shatter their wage structure to sign £95m Barcelona target

By Billy Meyers

According to Miguel Delaney of the Independent, Newcastle are now willing to offer Paul Pogba a £300,000-a-week salary in a bid to lure him to Tyneside, with Barcelona also interested.

What’s the story?

Well, talk about a show of ambition from Newcastle – this would be a huge move.

Delaney believes the Magpies are ready to shatter their wage structure to sign Pogba, who looks very likely to leave Manchester United for nothing this summer when his contract expires.

Ralf Rangnick has already said that he thinks the France international has played his final game for the Red Devils, and now, all eyes are on the 29-year-old as he gets set to choose a new club.

It was Sky Sports who revealed that Barcelona are interested in Pogba, while Real Madrid, Paris-Saint Germain and Juventus are also keen to sign the World Cup winner.

So far this season, the Manchester United No.6 has made 27 appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal while also providing nine assists.

If Pogba accepted a £300,000-a-week deal at Newcastle, he would become the highest earner by some distance – as things stand, the best-paid player under Eddie Howe is Bruno Guimaraes, who earns £120,000-a-week.

Newcastle don’t need Paul Pogba

It sounds crazy to say, but Newcastle would be better off without Pogba.

Of course, the £95m man is a quality player, but that £300,000-a-week salary could be spread across three marquee signings earning £100,000-a-week each, which would be a better scenario for Howe.

As things stand, the Magpies need to upgrade many areas – a new goalkeeper, striker and central defender wouldn’t go amiss, while quality depth is needed throughout the squad.

Therefore, it would be foolish to offer Pogba such a large salary, as it will hinder what else Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi are able to do in the market.