Keith Wyness

Sat 22 February 2025 8:00, UK

Newcastle and Man City scored a major victory last week when the Premier League’s Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules were declared null and void.

Those guidelines were replaced by a new set of guidelines in November 2024 which will also have to be approved independently – but the panel’s decision could have major ramifications for England’s two richest clubs.

Premier League champions Man City brought the legal action after being prevented from striking lucrative new deals with Etihad Airways and First Abu Dhabi Bank.

Meanwhile, Newcastle struck a sponsorship deal with Sela and Noon – but could have banked a much higher fee without the now-void APT rules in place.

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – suggested the two clubs could be in line for compensation.

Newcastle & Man City expected to launch compensation claims

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted clubs will need to “prove” the rules prevented them from achieving a higher-value sponsorship deal.

Man City’s Etihad Airways deal is already the most valuable in the Premier League – with the club banking £67.5million per year.

Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “There could be potential compensation claims at Newcastle and Man City, at least.

“They were stopped from taking a bigger amount of sponsorship money from their clients – they would have claims there if they could prove it.

“I think that is the case with Newcastle and Sela, while City had contact with First Abu Dhabi Bank but had to cut that deal down.

“Hopefully, we can get away from this and get back to these things being hammered out behind closed doors.”

Liverpool could offer Nunez to Newcastle

Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed on Tuesday (18 February) that Liverpool could offer Darwin Nunez in part-exchange for Newcastle star Alexander Isak.

Newcastle want well in excess of £100million for their star man – who is also wanted by Arsenal – but sources say the Reds have a genuine interest and will look to sweeten the deal by including Nunez in a player-plus-cash offer.

Nunez has scored six goals and supplied five assists in 35 appearances across all competitions this term.

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