Newcastle United face a game that could define an entire era when they host Everton at St. James’ Park on Sunday.
For Newcastle United, Sunday’s game is a meeting of fate. If Eddie Howe’s side win, they will secure qualification for the Champions League.If, on the other hand, they lose, it is hard to imagine all other results falling into place to keep them in the top five of the Premier League table.
Champions League bonanza
Qualification for the Champions League would be huge for the club. Newcastle can earn at least £17 million just by qualifying, and the opportunity to offer Champions League football to potential signings will undoubtedly help them bring in players at a higher level this summer.
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If they fail, the future becomes more uncertain. That doesn’t necessarily mean a disaster, but it’s clear that not reaching Europe’s elite club tournament would be a blow at this point.
According
to iNews, Newcastle will have room for £100 million within the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) if they beat Everton.
With Champions League qualification, Newcastle may have a summer budget of £150 million, but PSR’s “air” works differently:
- A player worth £100 million can be amortised as £20 million per season over five years
- While there is no indication that Newcastle will do this, the report claims that the club could theoretically sign “three or four £100 million players and still stay within the PSR calculations”
Without the Champions League, this figure will fall to between £40-50 million, according to the report.
The biggest game of the PIF era
Newcastle have already qualified for the Champions League and won a trophy in the PIF era, yet this feels like the biggest game yet.
A place in the top five can be transformative for a club that constantly sees its best players linked to other top clubs.
PIF is excited about Newcastle’s development under Howe, and for good reason. But without the Champions League, the summer will look significantly darker.
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The importance of this fight cannot be overstated.
