Newcastle United have increasingly become an essential player in the European transfer market over the last couple of years and most recently the takeover by the new owners could propel more record breaking deals. 

Interestingly, some Newcastle United’s most expensive signings since the winter of 2022 have significantly impacted the club’s overall performance in the English Premier League. Most notably, the team had an upward rise from relegation waters to mid-table.

My prediction, Newcastle’s desire to become a top club in Europe would lead to more investment in players and probably some outrageous sums that ranked among the most expensive fees paid.

What are the highest transfer fees paid by Newcastle? Which player is the most expensive?

With Alexander Isak’s transfer from Real Sociedad in sight, he could become the club’s most expensive signing yet.

Ranking Newcastle United’s most expensive signings – Top 11 transfer fees paid

11. Georginio Wijnaldum – (£18.00m, From PSV Eindhoven)

Promised to become a strong midfield hold for the magpies, Georginio Wijnaldum was brought to the Premier League based on his exploits at PSV Eindhoven.

The Dutchman had two impressive seasons with PSV, and subsequently, his appointment as the team skipper.

Wijnaldum’s career-defining moment for Newcastle was the matchday 9 of the 2015-16 season, against Norwich City, where he scored four goals after netting twice a week earlier.

He ended the season with eleven goals, becoming one of the club’s most productive signings who lived up to his market value.

10. Albert Luque – (£18.00m, from Deportivo de La Coruña in 2005)

Not the famous names you would find on the transfer market, Albert Luque arrived at the Premier League amid high expectations as per his impressive stats at Deportivo de La Coruña.

Read More: Premier League most expensive signings ranked 

But, he failed to live up to expectations even though he continues to hold up the steam in some Newcastle United supporters, most notably during the 4-1 victory against Sunderland.

An awful Sunderland defending led to Albert Luque’s goal, which wrapped up the game in the 126 Tyne-Wear derby. Luque scored a total of three goals at Newcastle United.

9. Callum Wilson – (£20.03m, from AFC Bournemouth in 2020)

A perfect Centre-Forward who has completely changed the narrative is one of the most effective signings by the club lately.

Callum Wilson was an important player throughout the 2021/22 season. At the moment, he’s played a pivotal role at Newcastle United, which has made him ranked among the Premier League’s best centre forwards.

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Wilson is not new to the Premier League either, he’s played for AFC Bournemouth under Eddie Howe, and the relationship continues at St James’s Park.

8. Miguel Almirón – (£21.60m, from Atlanta United in 2019)

Miguel Almirón joined the Magpies as a prospect and a productive attacking midfielder capable of creating fluidity in the long run. So far, the Paraguayan have been average.

He made a lively debut in front of a strong crowd that made fans gunning for his active role in his first season. But where has it been for Almirón after three years?

He was a regular feature in the Newcastle first team in his second season but inconsistency swopped in.

Although Almirón did flourish in some of the games he’d played under Steve Bruce, his stance under Eddie Howe isn’t clear, but he remains a player to watch.

7. Michael Owen – (£22.50m, from Real Madrid in 2005)

Perhaps one of the signings made by Newcastle United brought a sense of hope to the club when tough competition for a place in the first team was brewing.

But, Michael Owen’s move to Newcastle did not reach the heights it was expected to for him.

In all, Owen briefly brought the hope and excitement that was missing at the club. He totalled over 30 goals in 79 appearances across four seasons for the Magpies.

6. Joe Willock – (£26.46m, from Arsenal in 2021)

Joe Willock was a breakthrough at Arsenal that barely received the nod to fit into the first team at Arsenal.

Although he played a couple of games and can often come in as a substitute, he had little or no foothold in Arsenal’s first team despite his potential.

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But at Newcastle United, he benefited a lot and has shown to be a great addition to Newcastle’s midfield. Most importantly, he’s brought in more fluidity in the attacking midfield for the Magpies. His goals for the club in 2021/22 helped them stay afloat.

Willock remains a crucial part of the Newcastle United team and is expected to improve on himself.

5. Chris Wood – (£27.00m, from Burnley)

Chris Wood had an astonishing career at Burnley, scoring over 49 goals in 144 league appearances for the Clarets. The New Zealander considered the Magpies for a new challenge after different stints with West Bromwich Albion, Brighton and Leeds United.

Wood has scored three goals for the club in over twenty Premier League games. He’s been a great addition to the team.

4. Sven Botman – (£33.30m, from Lille in 2022)

Sven Botman is an experienced defender who was a core part of Christophe Galtier’s squad that won the league title for Lille after a decade-long wait.

The Dutchman played 37 of Lille’s 38 Ligue 1 matches in his debut season, which clearly shows his level of consistency is at the top level. With his experience with Lille, Botman played a crucial role in the club’s Champions League and Europa League campaigns.

Botman could be invaluable for Newcastle United under Eddie Howe. So far, he’s proven to be effective in the defence for the club.

3. Bruno Guimarães – £37.89m (From Olympique Lyon in 2022)

Well said and deserved, Bruno Guimarães is arguably the most significant Newcastle signing. The Brazilian is undoubtedly one of the best box-to-box midfielders in town.

Bruno capped five goals with one assist in twenty Premier League appearances in his debut season for Newcastle. And fans are gushing over these numbers already.

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Bruno Guimarães is a midfielder capable of pressuring opponents, making successful tackles and knows how to score when it matters. And it is easy to say Newcastle have got the ultimate signing in the midfield.

One astonishing part of his career is his goal-scoring prowess. He is not known to be a natural goal scorer but has proven to be at a different level in the Premier League.

2. Joelinton – (£39.60m, From Hoffenheim in 2019)

Joelinton failed to live up to expectations following his big-money move to the club in 2019. But there’s a difference.

Joelinton has done well for himself. He’s a productive midfielder with one of the best tackling and pressing skills. Thanks to Eddie Howe, who has continued with the experiment, which has brought the Brazilian to quite the level he was expected to reach.

More is expected of him as Newcastle United eyes Champions League football. But, the club’s increasing involvement in the market could smell trouble if he doesn’t keep up with his best form at the club.

In a desperate move to leave the relegation zone, the Magpies spent 117.45m pounds in the transfer market. The transfer plan at Newcastle United is long-term, with more signings expected in due course.

1. Alexander Isak – £63.00m

Alexander Isak overtakes Joelinton to become Newcastle United’s most expensive signing in history. The Premier League club splashed £63.00m to secure his services from Real Sociedad.

Isak is one outstanding player at the Spanish club. He’d been an integral part of Real Sociedad since his transfer from Borussia Dortmund in 2019. He won his first trophy following an outstanding performance in the 2019–20 season to lift the Copa del Rey.