Howe must regret selling Newcastle talent who’s now already worth more than Joelinton

Eddie Howe may be having second thoughts about selling Yankuba Minteh, a move that could prove to be a costly one for Newcastle United in the long run. Minteh, who was sold to Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer of 2023, has seen his market value rise significantly, now being worth more than Joelinton, the £40 million signing from Hoffenheim. This turn of events highlights how a decision made in the short term could have wider repercussions for the club’s future, especially as they look to strengthen their squad.

Newcastle fans will remember the disappointment of last season when high hopes of European qualification were dashed due to a spate of injuries. Despite this setback, manager Eddie Howe was praised for the resilience of his squad, particularly as they fought to stay in contention for European spots. With key players like Alexander Isak and Joelinton stepping up, the team remained competitive, but ultimately missed out on Champions League football. The club’s struggles, however, are far from over, and as they move forward, they’ll need to make the right decisions in the transfer market to ensure their continued growth.

One of the standout stories this season has been Joelinton’s resurgence. Once a misfiring center-forward, Joelinton has been repurposed into a dynamic central midfielder by Howe, and the Brazilian has flourished in his new role. With a string of impressive performances, Joelinton has been described as a “machine” by Howe, contributing key passes, tackles, ball recoveries, and successful duels. His transformation has been a key factor in the team’s tactical evolution, and Joelinton is now considered one of Newcastle’s most important players.

However, while Joelinton’s story is one of redemption, another player’s story—Yankuba Minteh—shows a different side of Newcastle’s transfer strategy. Minteh, a promising winger, was signed from Danish side Odense Boldklub in July 2023 for around £6 million. But rather than immediately joining the first team, Minteh was loaned out to Feyenoord for the 2023/24 season. During his time in the Netherlands, Minteh made an impression, scoring 11 goals and providing six assists across all competitions. His performances helped Feyenoord win the KNVB Cup, the Dutch equivalent of the FA Cup, making him one of the most talked-about young players in Europe.

Newcastle’s decision to sell Minteh came in the summer of 2023, when Brighton & Hove Albion offered £30 million for the 20-year-old. While this was a significant profit for a player who had never played a competitive match for Newcastle, the decision to part ways with Minteh might come to be seen as a mistake. At the time, Newcastle needed to balance their books due to the Premier League’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, and the sale of Minteh allowed them to retain key players like Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, and Bruno Guimaraes—who were all targeted by bigger clubs.

Yet, as time has passed, Minteh’s value has skyrocketed. According to CIES Football Observatory, his market value is now estimated at £43 million, which is £13 million more than what Newcastle received for him. This significant increase in value is a reminder of the potential that Minteh showed during his loan spell at Feyenoord, and it raises questions about whether Newcastle could have found a way to integrate him into their squad rather than selling him so soon.

With Newcastle still struggling for depth on the right flank, the sale of Minteh could prove to be a misstep. Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy have both struggled to provide consistent quality in that position, and Minteh, with his flair, creativity, and ability to score goals, might have been a valuable asset in addressing that gap. His versatility, pace, and technical ability would have added another dimension to Newcastle’s attack, providing competition for spots in the starting lineup and giving Howe more tactical options.

As it stands, Minteh is making strides at Brighton and could soon be in high demand across Europe. Given that he is already valued higher than Joelinton, the decision to sell him could come back to haunt Newcastle, particularly if they struggle to replace him with a player of similar quality. While the club may have had financial constraints at the time, they will need to make smarter decisions in the transfer market going forward if they are to maintain their competitive edge in the Premier League and Europe.

In hindsight, it’s clear that Newcastle could have found a way to keep Minteh on their books, but the decision to sell him has nonetheless highlighted the risks involved in player sales. With the potential for further growth in his value, Minteh’s future looks bright, and Howe might just regret parting with him too soon. As Newcastle continues to rebuild and strengthen their squad, they’ll need to ensure that they don’t miss out on potential stars who could help take them to the next level.