'Crazy': Journalist now says that Newcastle have made a strange call with recent contract

Newcastle United fans have often said that people outside of the NUFC bubble have no idea about how the club works and if there was ever proof of that, it's this latest comment from Graeme Bailey.

Journalist Graeme Bailey is a Middlesbrough supporter so he does have ties to North East(ish) football, but his latest take on Newcastle's recent decisions shows that you have to be a Newcastle supporter to truly understand what's going on at our beloved club.

The Magpies recently tied midfielder Joelinton down to a new contract at the club after it was looking like the 27-year-old Brazilian could be on his way out of St James' Park.

There was intense panic when it was revealed that Newcastle would look to sell J7 this summer if he didn't sign a new deal.

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Bailey says the Joelinton contract is 'crazy'

Now though, Graeme Bailey has told Geordie Boot Boys that he thinks Newcastle missed the mark by offering Joelinton the deal they did.

“I think that contract Newcastle have given Joelinton is crazy.

“To put him on that level [of money] – Newcastle have not done many questionable deals as of late, but the Lewis Hall and now this Joelinton one… I think they are a bit wide of the mark.”

Newcastle fans will disagree with Bailey on this one

To Newcastle fans, no monetary value can be placed on Joelinton after what he's become to mean to the Toon Army.

Originally starting out as a joke following his £40million move from Hoffenheim, a forced tactical tweak by Eddie Howe redefined Joelinton's entire career and now he's one of the most popular players at the club after transforming himself into an absolute beast in the middle of the park.

He is now a Brazilian international and his friendship with Bruno Guimaraes is also likely to keep Bruno at the club beyond the summer. If you watch him week in week out you can see he has earned that payrise.

As for Lewis Hall, that may well be a deal that takes some time to bear fruit, but he was never brought in to be an instant first-team addition, Eddie Howe always said he was brought in for the future and to play a small part this season, which is how things have panned out.