Newcastle United's transformational £60m prospect - 'Sends a signal to the established elite'

Newcastle United players and staff have been watching on like the rest of us. They have seen Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice put two stunning free-kicks past Real Madrid. They have witnessed Aston Villa go toe-to-toe with PSG at Villa Park.

Now they are desperate to hear that anthem ring out at St James' Park once again. In fact, the Champions League is 'the one that everyone wants more than anything'. Even the measured Eddie Howe once called the prospect of qualifying a 'game-changer' for the club.



Assistant Jason Tindall added these are the games 'as a player, coach, manager you want to be involved in'. So what would a return to Europe's top table mean for Newcastle if the fourth-placed Magpies manage to get over the line? Let's ask football finance expert Kieran Maguire. "We always say it's desirable rather than essential," he told ChronicleLive.

"But for the ambitions of Newcastle United , to establish themselves as more of a destination club, participation in the Champions League is transformational. It sends a signal to the established elite within the Premier League." In so many ways.

Qualifying in 2023 was one thing, but doing so twice in three seasons? That would feel like a real statement and there has certainly never been a better time to do so. Newcastle received £29.8m in Champions League 'distributions' last year, but the black-and-whites would stand to earn even more if Howe's team get back there.

It is one of the reasons why CEO Darren Eales described Newcastle's summer budget as a 'moving feast' until the club's fate is confirmed. That's how potentially lucrative it is. After all, following the Champions League's switch to a Swiss league model, and an increase in prize money, clubs now bank £15.

7m just for qualifying. Each win in the league phase is worth an additional £1.8m.

Even a draw brings in £590,000. Then there are the associated benefits. Mouth-watering clashes against PSG, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan helped contribute to a 'significant increase' in match day income (£50.

1m) last season. If Newcastle qualify, once again, the black-and-whites would have the bonus of at least one further game under the lights at St James' Park while Maguire also suggested 'some of the sponsors have got clauses embedded in contracts' to give the club an additional commercial boost. The prize money then ramps up for those sides who make it into the knockout stages.

Maguire estimated Liverpool, for instance, took home up to €100m for topping the league phase, albeit the Reds were aided by a strong coefficient, and even the clubs who finished in 12th to 16th and went into the play-offs were 'still looking at €50m'. Hence why, if Newcastle qualify, the black-and-whites could be in line for 'a minimum of £50-60m - and that's putting it conservatively'. Then there is the profile and prestige of competing on such a stage, which was 'massive' in helping to convince Sandro Tonali to leave boyhood club AC Milan just a few months after reaching the Champions League semi-finals in 2023, and these intangibles would only aid the club's upcoming contract talks with Alexander Isak.

As Professor Rob Wilson rightly pointed out, the Champions League is referred to as the 'premier club competition for a reason - on the field and off it'. "What you tend to find is you become more competitive against your closest rivals as a consequence of the money you generate so it's great news if Newcastle get in," the financial expert explained to ChronicleLive. "It's important for the club's evolution, but it's also important when you start to compare yourself with those other clubs you're competing against because if you're able to do it on a consistent basis, you generate more revenue over and above your competitors and don't have to go fishing in different transfer market pools.

"You're not having to dangle a slightly bigger wage packet in front of a player with no European football; you're able to sign those players in that more elite group on more affordable terms given your revenue budget is higher. They cost the same amount but, proportionally, they cost less against your revenue line, which is then how you suppress your wage-to-turnover ratio, which allows you to comply with PSR more easily. Then it becomes a virtuous circle.

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