Journalist shares 'unpalatable' option Newcastle United may have to face to avoid another PSR nightmare

We're sure we're not the only ones who often wake up in a cold sweat and sit bolt-upright in bed screaming "PSR!" at least three nights a week after the nightmare that was 30th June this year.

Newcastle United were forced to sell Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh to avoid potential sanctions for PSR breaches, and at one point it looked like the club might even sell prize asset Anthony Gordon to Premier League rivals, Liverpool.

Nobody wants to see that kind of shenanigans again, but the reality is, if Newcastle don't get better at selling players, we're running a very high risk of a repeat.

Since the takeover, Newcastle have struggled to sell players and have had to rely on income from other means such as commercial partnerships.

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Will Newcastle have to sell one of their biggest stars?

Now someone has asked The Athletic's Chris Waugh if he believes Newcastle will emulate other clubs by selling one high-value player and living off the profits for a few seasons - the prime example being Aston Villa who have used the Jack Grealish money very wisely.

Waugh has said that it may be a possibility as Mike Ashley didn't leave the PIF with many saleable assets and as such could look at cashing in on a high-profile player.

"Realistically, Alexander Isak and Gordon are Newcastle’s most saleable assets. Isak’s Premier League record and the dearth of top-quality strikers make him immensely valuable, while Gordon’s consistency and end product make him one of the most sought-after wingers in Europe. Should [Sven] Botman return to top form quickly after his ACL injury, then he will also be prized, but Isak and Gordon can probably generate the largest profits.

"Selling either would be unpalatable, but it may be necessary to fund a wider rebuild. What’s more, if Newcastle fail to qualify for the Champions League, or even worse secure no European competition at all for 2025-26, then Isak and/or Gordon may also feel they have outpaced the club’s development. For now, however, both are fully committed."

Bruno Guimaraes could be the option should it come to that

The idea of selling Isak or Gordon knocks us sick, especially if they were to remain in the Premier League, so hopefully that doesn't become an option.

Discussions in the NUFC Feed offices have suggested that if we had to sell one of our big players, it would be Bruno Guimaraes purely because he would bring in a hefty sum and we already have a ready-made replacement for his position in Sandro Tonali.

We obviously hope that it doesn't come to this, at least not any time soon, but eventually there will come a day when we have to say goodbye to a player we all love. We've done it before, we'll do it again, that's football.