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6 months ago
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A recurring theme in the media, is coverage based on an assumption that Newcastle United will need to sell one or more players to avoid breaking PSR limits.
The deadline is 30 June 2024 for this 2023/24 season’s accounting period.
With Newcastle United (along with every other Premier League club!) having been able to lose a maximum of £105m across the last three years / seasons (2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24), though certain things are exempt from having been taken into account for PSR purposes, so clubs can actually lose more than that set £105m figure overall.
Anyway, back to the basic question, will Newcastle United break PSR limits if they don’t bring in money from player sales before 30 June 2024?
Away from the overwhelming majority of the clueless (and twisted and biased!) media, an interesting update from the informed media that cover Newcastle United for The Athletic.
As well as David Ornstein with numerous exclusives (that end up showing as true!), George Caulkin and Chris Waugh are the main men covering Newcastle United, with the latter doing a question and answer session with Newcastle United fans as this current Premier League season comes to a close.
One question in particular standing out, with Newcastle United fan William P asking ‘Any idea if Newcastle NEED to sell before June 30 to comply with PSR, or just need to sell so they can spend?’
Chris Waugh of The Athletic replying:
‘While not being privy to the exact calculations as of May 13 (where Newcastle stand regarding the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) is ever-changing, given the myriad levels of expenditure and income which contribute towards them), the club have been close to their limit, which is why they could only sign players in January if they offloaded someone first.
There are expected to be further sponsorship deals announced before the end of June, while if a fee is belatedly agreed with Manchester United for Dan Ashworth, the outgoing sporting director, that would also help.
Newcastle may look to sell someone before June 30, but the noises suggest they are not desperately required to do so in the same way as Nottingham Forest, Chelsea or Aston Villa perhaps appear to need to. Should an enticing offer arrive for a fringe player, however, Newcastle would have to at least consider it.’
This for me, is the exact Newcastle United position currently AND has been all along.
The comments back in January 2024 from Newcastle United CEO Darren Eales repeatedly misrepresented.
He never said that Newcastle United would have to sell any players, never mind star players, to stay within PSR limits by end of June 2024, nor indeed a need to sell any time.
What he did say, was that at some time in the future, Newcastle United may sell one or more players to allow them to spend more on incoming players.
After those Darren Eales comments in January, at his next pre-match press conference, Eddie Howe made clear that what the reality was, is that Newcastle will at times sell squad players who they might otherwise ideally want to keep hold of, because it will then allow them far more headroom (0ver and above just the basic sale price) to bring in new signings.
We have already seen this in action, when the likes of Jonjo Shelvey and Chris Wood were moved out to help allow the signing of Anthony Gordon. Plus then ASM sold, so that deal could then help allow Eddie Howe to bring in his targets – Tonali, Livramento, Barnes, Minteh and Hall.
I am confident that before 30 June AND this summer, there is absolutely zero intention from Eddie Howe and Newcastle United to sell the likes of Bruno, Gordon and Isak. However, for sure I think we will see Eddie Howe selling a number of squad players that will help allow him to bring in his own targets.

 
