Newcastle United have earned praise for the swift sales of Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon to Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona respectively, with former Liverpool managing director and ex-Aston Villa CEO Christian Purslow highlighting the club's effective market strategy.
Quick Sales Generate 'Top Dollar'
Barcelona signed Anthony Gordon for £69 million in May, and Newcastle have now agreed to sell Sandro Tonali to Spurs in a deal worth up to £100 million. With the transfer window only five days into July, the Magpies have ample time to reinvest and find replacements for the two key players.
Purslow told the Football Boardroom podcast: "This summer it's quite clear that Newcastle knew once again they would need to sell players to comply with rules. They have moved early and they have managed to create by making it clear that they were willing to do business, they have encouraged more than one buyer to come to the table."
'Messaging in the Market' Key
Purslow emphasized the importance of market communication: "With Bayern and Barca on Anthony Gordon, pushing that boy out for £70 million in the end, and now with Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United both in for Tonali, and we thought even maybe City and Arsenal."
"Messaging in the market - I am not talking about putting an advert on the front of the newspaper - I am saying in the market with their sporting director, with their recruitment team, speaking to agents and speaking to other clubs, at the right number there is a deal to be done for Tonali."
Learning from Past Mistakes
Purslow noted that Newcastle's recruitment team, led by Ross Wilson, learned from previous errors: "They are the two crucial ingredients in selling players properly for top dollar. They got it all wrong on the Elliot Anderson sale and they have got it right on the Tonali sale."
Tonali's move to Spurs is expected to be confirmed soon, and Newcastle are also set to announce the arrival of Hoffenheim winger Bazoumana Toure.
