Newcastle United have very ambitious owners, but one plan being formulated by PIF and David Hopkinson could well cause more pain for the fans.
It’s safe to say Newcastle United are now the best of the rest in the Premier League. However, Hopkinson hopes to make the club one of the best in the world by 2030.
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There are many ways he and PIF can combine forces to make that happen, or at least get close. Continually playing in the Champions League is great, winning more trophies would really help, and attracting the best players is imperative.
Ross Wilson’s transfer strategy could help to truly bridge the gap between Newcastle and the other elite clubs. However, there is a fear that the way the Magpies operate in the transfer market in the future could actually upset the supporters.
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Geordie Boot Boys spoke to finance expert Kieran Maguire about Hopkinson’s recent comments where the CEO claimed the club would be looking to invest heavily in the Newcastle United academy.
Maguire said: “Newcastle have no choice to either expand or move to a new stadium, and it’s a similar story with the training complex too.
“There is always a big fight for young talent, but it has increased in recent years. The consequences of Brexit, the position of executives at Premier League clubs that academies are essentially now profit centres, and the successes of Manchester City and Chelsea’s academies have changed everyone’s perceptions of academies.”
We already know Newcastle want to emulate Chelsea’s strategy of shopping for hidden talents overseas that they can then develop through their own youth system. It is also hoped that the academy can secure the best local talent, too, which isn’t always easy, but is so important for the club’s future.
Maguire added: “If Newcastle are not going to join the party, that is going to be a big issue for them. They already have a competitive disadvantage in terms if matchday revenue — they aren’t in London and they don’t have the tourist fanbase that other clubs do.
“So they have to look at the academy as a fourth leg in terms of income. It’s essential. If they don’t, they are going to find that young local talent will go to other clubs who are seen as being able to offer a better, more professional pathway to the first team. You are throwing away money.”
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That sounds like a great plan, then, surely? Well, there is just one problem, and it’s that word: “Profit.” We know Newcastle reported £70m in profit for player sales in 2023/24 — that’s in an accounting sense, taking into consideration things like amortised book value and agents’ fees etc.
We only have to look at the mistake Newcastle made in selling Elliot Anderson last summer to see that thinking in terms of profit is not always the best option, though.
Newcastle fans hate the Anderson situation, especially now that it looks like he could end up going to Man City for at least £80m, just one year after the Magpies sold him for £35m.
It goes without saying, then, that the fanbase would not appreciate the idea of Newcastle essentially becoming a selling club. The rich heritage of the club is one of producing exciting young players and being a hub for youth development in the North East.
To see those kinds of players come through, like Lewis Miley, for example, only to then be sold on, would be heartbreaking… but it may be a necessary sacrifice.
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