Lets be honest, Newcastle are a stepping stone club. They are nowhere near the level of City/Liverpool/Arsenal they haven't won anything in 50 years and they can't compete for the league. Newcastle wouldn't qualified to CL if it weren't from some dodgy referring during Aston Villa United game. So no wonder why they have trouble attracting players and why their first team players would rush joining other clubs.
Let's be honest we have had players throw tantrums like this to join us, and I bet if we went for Bruno and Livermento and Newcastle held firm. They would do the same thing. Newcastle can't compete against us, Liverpool, Arsenal and Cheslea. Heck players would rather join a 15th United side over them which is really telling.