Today is a happy one for PSV. This week Feyenoord have been fighting the Dutch tax authorities over payments made to players when they leave a club, and it impacts on a past Newcastle United transfer.
Feyenoord have won a ruling that a 75% tax levied on clubs for golden handshakes doesn’t stand up. Eredivisie clubs can’t compete on wages with most leagues and in recent years they’ve found a way to combat that.
At PSV it saw Georginio Wijnaldum promised a payment when he left the club, as compensation for staying and receiving lower wages. It provided motivation for the player and offset the financial commitment for the club. So, when Newcastle United swooped in and paid around £15m for the midfielder, he personally got a big payment too.
However, as well as Wijnaldum paying his own income tax on the amount, PSV were forced to pay 75%. The tax was brought in to stop bankers receiving big pay-offs when leaving a job, being rewarded for failure. In Wijnaldum’s case, he’d been rewarded for 
success, and attracting Newcastle United’s interest.
After the player went to St James’ Park, PSV paid the tax, but they’ve now told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf they’re set to fight to get it back.
Wijnaldum moved to Newcastle United in 2015, but following relegation Rafael Benitez couldn’t keep the player and he signed for Liverpool.
The ruling will have an impact on many past transfers, and it would be no surprise if the Ajax’s sales of Vurnon Anita and Siem de Jong to Newcastle are included.
