Newcastle United face what could be an era-defining game against Everton on Sunday.
For Newcastle United, Sunday’s clash at St James’ Park is a date with destiny. If Eddie Howe’s side win, they will confirm qualification for the Champions League.
Lose, however, and it’s difficult to see all of the other results going their way to keep them in the top five of the Premier League table.
Qualifying for the Champions League would be huge for the club. Newcastle could earn at least £17million by qualifying for the Champions League, and being able to offer it to targets would no doubt help them sign a higher profile of player this summer.
If they don’t, however, then the future is slightly more uncertain. That doesn’t mean disaster lies ahead by any means, but it’s clear not reaching Europe’s elite club competition would be a blow at this point.
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Newcastle United told mammoth summer budget if they beat Everton
According to iNews, Newcastle would have £100million worth of headroom with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Newcastle could have a summer budget of £150million if they qualify for the Champions League, but PSR ‘headroom’ is different.
A £100million player’s valuation can be amortised as £20million per season over five years. While there’s no suggestion Newcastle will do this, the report adds that the club could sign “three or four £100m players and probably still get away with being under the PSR calculations.”
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On the flip side, it’s claimed that the ‘PSR headroom’ figure could stand at between £40-£50million if they don’t get into the Champions League.
Newcastle United vs Everton is the biggest game of the PIF era
Newcastle have already qualified for the Champions League and won a cup during the PIF era.
Still, this feels like the biggest game yet. Finishing in the top five could be transformative for the club, who keep seeing their best players being linked away.
PIF are delighted with Newcastle’s progress under Howe, and for very good reason indeed.
However, if Newcastle fail in their objective to reclaim a seat at Europe’s top table, the summer ahead looks markedly bleaker.
The importance of this game simply cannot be overstated.