As record signings go, they do not get much more disastrous than Joelinton's £40 million arrival at Newcastle United. The Brazilian attacker joined the Magpies in 2019 from German side Hoffenheim and was immediately handed the famous No 9 shirt, despite his career stats providing no evidence of prolific goalscoring at any point. And so it turned out, as it became painfully obvious that scoring goals – or even playing as a centre forward – was never the player's forte and he finished the campaign with just two strikes from 38 Premier League appearances. This season, Joelinton has found himself in and out of the side and has just one league goal to his name as new boy Callum Wilson took over the team's main striker duties. But at least the out-of-favour 24-year-old can console himself with his humongous wage packet that makes him the highest paid player at the club. Wilson, who moved from relegated Bournemouth and has six goals already this season, has turned out to be everything that Joelinton is not – a natural goalscorer able to lead the line and give the team a much-needed attacking edge – while also costing half the price and considerably less wages than the hapless No 9. Other new arrivals this season include free transfers Ryan Fraser and Jeff Hendrick, who moved from Bournemouth and Burnley, respectively, plus left-back Jamal Lewis from another team that went down to the Championship in Norwich City. A more successful signing from last season, Allan Saint-Maximin, has become a cult figure with supporters, recently signing a new six-year deal that brings him in line with the club's top earners. All data has been collated from Spotrac, an online sports team and player contract website, and other sources. To move on to the next slide, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device simply swipe.
