Chief executive officer of Newcastle United, Darren Eales, asserts that the Magpies are searching for new players who can help them reach the ‘next level’. Fortunately, they have a sports director who has excelled in transfers in every position he has held in the last few years.
Positive reactions greeted Paul Mitchell’s announcement earlier this month when Newcastle finally revealed a successor for departing boardroom boss Dan Ashworth. The newcomer to Eddie Howe’s backroom group carries a reputation as one of the finest in the industry when it comes to first identifying and then signing the greatest players in the league.
As usual, Newcastle is looking to add some big names this summer. Although concerns about sustainability and profit may have subsided, it is unclear that the summer budget would allow for a comprehensive revamp that involves both a few exits and mega-money transactions. Fortunately, Mitchell’s track record is impressive and should give supporters hope that the Magpies’ summer goals will be realized.
The new director of St James’ Park seems like the ideal person to bring Eales’ ambition to life, whether it is by recruiting relatively unknown players from teams around Europe before they become famous names or by negotiating lucrative agreements for established talent.
Although Mitchell has experience throughout the continent, it would be wiser to begin with his record in the area where he currently resides. He first gained recognition during a stay with Southampton on the south coast. He had a great run at St Mary’s under Mauricio Pochettino and Ronald Koeman.
The notable newcomers are Graziano Pelle (£8 million), Victor Wanyama (£12.5 million), Dusan Tadic (£11 million), and Sadio Mane (£10 million). Naturally, the most valuable asset is the first to be discussed. In September 2014, Mitchell campaigned for Mane to sign for under £10 million after the player had played 87 games for Austrian powerhouse Red Bull Salzburg, tallying 45 goals and dishing out 32 assists. This essay will focus on the Newcastle chief’s practice of stealing the top players from the
In the same summer transfer window as Mane, Tadic from FC Twente was another well-known addition. After Koeman took over as manager in lieu of Pochettino, the Dutchman was the first player signed, and the two nationals got along well at the Saints.
Toby Alderweireld would also come at Southampton after leaving Atletico Madrid on a season-long loan, along with Mane and Tadic. The defender advanced to the Champions League final and won La Liga in the previous campaign. In 2014, Mitchell relocated to Tottenham, and in the summer of 2015, Alderweireld followed him to north London.
Mitchell may expand his horizons with a larger transfer budget at his disposal and the allure of playing football in Europe. In 2015, he was in charge of getting future Tottenham icon Son Heung-min from Bayer Leverkusen for a comparatively low £22 million.
Nobody knew the south Korean would turn out to be the superstar he soon became – and it is all but certain he ranks as Mitchell’s best ever purchase. Dele Alli, chased by Newcastle when he was at MK Dons, joined Tottenham for £5m under Mitchell’s watch, while Kieran Trippier was also brought to the club for just £3.5m. Mitchell’s results abroad read just as well. He first directed the scouting department of RB Leipzig before joining fellow Red Bull clubs – New York Red Bulls and Red Bull Bragantino. At Leipzig he helped the German club close the gap to standard-bearers Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund with shrewd moves – some predictable, others not so much.
Leipzig was anticipated to make certain moves, including stealing the finest players from sister club RB Salzburg. Under Mitchell’s leadership, both Amadou Haidara, who is still at Leipzig, and Konrad Laimer, who is currently at Bayern Munich, made the transfer. After departing the New York Red Bulls, Tyler Adams also made his way to the club.
Patrik Schick (£23 million) and Matheus Cunha (£12.5 million) are two more noteworthy signings. After initially failing to make the cut at Barcelona, Dani Olmo—a strong performer for Spain at Euro 2024—was also brought in from Dinamo Zagreb.
The 2019 contract that Leipzig signed to sign Christopher Nkunku from Paris Saint-Germain is maybe the one that jumps out the most. The adaptable striker scored 35 goals in 52 games during the 2021–2022 season, and then 23 goals the following year. Soon later, a £52 million move to Chelsea would happen.
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