Stefan Borson
Thu 22 May 2025 19:00, UK
Nottingham Forest are still in the mix for Champions League football heading into the final weekend of the season.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were well placed to qualify for the competition before a disappointing run of form saw them slip to seventh in the Premier League table.
However, they recorded a 2-1 victory over West Ham on Sunday (18 May) to ensure the gap to fourth-place Newcastle United remains at one point, with five Champions League spots on offer this season.
Finance expert Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider Forest could earn up to £70million if they qualify for the Champions League.
The Midlands club will face fifth-place Chelsea, who are also just one point above them, on the final day at the City Ground.
Forest are expected to spend big this summer after already securing their place in Europe for next season.
Nuno Espirito Santo Nottingham Forest
(Credit: Imago)
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Nottingham Forest transfer plan revealed
Borson revealed Forest likely have two different scenarios prepared for the summer transfer window depending on which European competition they qualify for.
He told Football Insider: “I think all of the six Premier League clubs that qualify for the Champions League are going to get at least the play-off game after the groups.
“So, you can pretty much model that as a certainty. You don’t know exactly how many points you’re going to get in the group, but you’re pretty certain you’re going to finish in the top 24, so you’re going to get the play-off at least.
“You are going to have five home games minimum, and if you’re in the Champions League, you’re going to have maybe £70million total prize money plus the home games.
“If you’re in the Europa League, maybe it’s £20million from the games plus the prize money. Those are minimums. That then gives you a clear indication of what you can then go and spend.
“That’s the sort of thinking that’s going to go on, and obviously you’ve got to model the costs in there as well and whatever the wages are. Your wages might be different because you’re in a certain competition.
“They may have to offset some of that £70million gain by the fact that they’ve got to pay out another chunk of wages to the squad, so it’s going to mitigate the upside because you’re going to be paying out a lot more.
“Likewise, when you get five extra home games, you’re going to have the costs of five extra home games. It’s not all pure profit. You have the costs of that operation and they’re very significant.
“Likewise, you’ve got the costs of taking your 50-man party to five-star hotels somewhere in Europe for each of those five games as well, so that’s also very expensive. This is a sort of model that the finance teams have got right now.
“They can probably model with two scenarios because they’re so close to knowing what the numbers are.”
Position Team Played Points GD
3 Man City 37 68 26
4 Newcastle United 37 66 22
5 Chelsea 37 66 20
6 Aston Villa 37 66 9
7 Nottingham Forest 37 65 13
Premier League table (as of 21/05/2025)
Nottingham Forest could agree Harvey Elliott deal
Football Insider revealed on 9 May Liverpool star Harvey Elliott is on Forest’s radar and could be made available by Arne Slot this summer.
Several Premier League clubs, including Wolves, Bournemouth and Newcastle United, are also believed to be keeping a close eye on the winger’s situation.
The 22-year-old has registered five goals and three assists in 27 appearances this season.
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