Liam Kennedy has been speaking on the latest edition of NUFC Matters with Steve Wraith about all things relating to Newcastle United.
One of the topics that the Shields Gazette reporter spent some time on was the claim that the Toon will try and sign Adam Armstrong this summer no matter what league they are in next season (as per TeamTalk).
Newcastle have a 40% sell-on clause in the 24-year-old’s contract, and that would be cancelled if they were to repurchase him.
The Toon sold Armstrong to Blackburn Rovers for £1.71m in 2018, and he has had a stellar season this year.
In 36 appearances in all competitions, he has scored 20 goals and provided three assists, with the likes of the Toon and West Ham United said to be interested.
However, Kennedy is not convinced that Newcastle will be making a move for Armstrong this summer.
He said: “Adam Armstrong is going to be a £20m footballer. Newcastle United have got a significant sell-on fee that was inserted in that deal. So it would reduce the deal for Newcastle United should they buy him.
“I would still be very surprised if we’re shelling out those kinds of figures. So say it’s a 40% [sell-on clause]. I don’t know what it is; that’s what’s been rumoured, it’s 40%. That’s massive, by the way. Very unusual to have that kind of level of sell-on fee in any deal.
“Some are saying it’s 40%, so say he’s a £20m footballer, that costs Newcastle United £12m. I still think a £12m outlay on one player is a big ask due to the financial implications of the last 12 months.”
Would you like to see Armstrong back at Newcastle?
Yes, that would be brilliant
No, he has had his time
TIF Thoughts on Armstrong…
Armstrong started his career with the Toon and made 21 senior appearances before the club decided to sell him; however, we would love to see him back on Tyneside.
Interestingly, the original report claimed that Newcastle would try and sign him no matter what league they are in.
Considering their current relegation battle, they might have to hope that Armstrong would be willing to play in the Championship again.
However, it seems as if Kennedy can’t see any way in which the Toon buy Armstrong this summer, so we will just have to see if he turns out to be right.