Newcastle United: £45 million target could be a rip-off based on CIES estimation

Newcastle United owners PIF are reportedly looking to swoop for youngster Eberechi Eze, despite the reported price tag being way over his scientific market value.

The Sun is reporting that despite his recent major injury, Newcastle are lining up a £45 million move to tempt Crystal Palace into selling Eze, which would more than double their money only two years after he joined the club – but that figure should send alarm bells ringing for PIF.

This is because according to CIES Football Observatory, which uses scientific research and statistical analysis to determine a player’s true market value, Eze should only be valued at €15-20 million (up to £16.7m) which is even lower than what Eze originally cost the Eagles back in 2020.

TIF Thoughts on Newcastle and Ebere Eze…

At the minute, Newcastle find themselves out of the relegation zone and on a three-game winning streak. If they can sustain this kind of form, this could see PIF start to plan for bigger things such as potentially winning the league in the coming years, as Amanda Staveley spoke about when they took over the club.

However, during their recent good run of form, which stretches back five games, they’ve only managed to score more than once in a game on one occasion in their 3-1 win against Everton, which signals the need for more creativity, despite having the most successful dribbler in the league within their ranks in the form of Allan Saint-Maximin.

Although, while Eze would arrive Premier League proven, he would also come with added baggage given he’s experienced a major lay-off this season through an Achilles injury sustained at the back end of last campaign, which would be a concern considering he’s only been handed one league start since his return from injury earlier this year.

Money is clearly not a problem for PIF and Newcastle given they splashed out £25 million on Chris Wood, who’s only scored three goals this season, and considering how over-reliant Newcastle are on Saint-Maximin – he’s got the most assists, completed the most dribbles and has had the most shots in the squad – they may well throw the money at Palace and see if they are tempted.

However, there surely has to come a point where PIF don’t throw cash at players simply because they can and want to be seen as good business people that won’t be ripped off – something that would surely happen if they paid a club-record fee for someone who’s started one league game all season.

In other news: ‘Within the club’ – Caulkin reveals behind-the-scenes NUFC claim which makes him ‘pinch himself’