Finance guru: Newcastle United on course for £60m green light amid FFP-busting reveal
Newcastle United should be in a good shape to conform to both Uefa and Premier League Financial Fair Play rules this season if they qualify for the Champions League.
That is the view of finance expert Dr Dan Plumley, who spoke exclusively to Football Insider about how Champions League qualification will affect Newcastle’s spending in the coming seasons.
Just over a year after their £300million Saudi-backed takeover, Newcastle are flying high in third position in the Premier League.
Champions League qualification has become a very realistic goal for Eddie Howe’s side, who extended their unbeaten run to 15 games in all competitions following the 0-0 draw against Arsenal this week.
A top-four finish would mean Newcastle would have to comply with both Premier League and Uefa Financial Fair Play rules next season.
As reported by The Athletic on Tuesday (3 January), clubs will be limited to spending a set percentage of their revenue in a calendar year on transfers, agents’ fees and player wages.
The limit in 2023 will be 90 per cent before dropping to 80 per cent in 2024 and 70 per cent from 2025 onwards.
However, Plumley doesn’t see either set of financial regulations being an issue for the Tyneside club.
“This is the juggling phase now,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“If the Premier League stick with their current version of FFP, clubs have to conform to that.
“I anticipate that Newcastle would be okay with that as they have to conform with Uefa which is where they have their sights set.
“It’s primarily based on a wages-to-turnover ratio which will come down to 70 per cent, but you can also lose up to £60million now with UEFA.
“There’s a lot of juggling to be done but Newcastle should be fine under both regulations.
“It’s really tricky as we’re yet to see how the Premier League are set to react to the Uefa regulations.
“It’s bound to be club-specific but with Newcastle eyeing up the Champions League this season that’s where their attention will be.“
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