Eddie Howe’s Champions League bound Newcastle are set for a £100m-plus boost in income to fuel their European challenge. Securing a place among Europe’s elite next season will guarantee around £50m from prize money and TV cash, and £20m extra if they can advance beyond the group stage.
And new revenue streams will also turbo-boost the club’s stagnant turnover which has been eclipsed by rivals Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United. A new shirt sponsor is set to be announced in July, boosting revenue from £8m a year to around £25m.
The club is also ready to bank an extra £15m this season from being live on TV 30 times, with their facility fee rising to £34.5 m from around £19m.
Their Premier League rise from 11th place last term to fourth at least, success will also mean a “merit” payment of prize money of an extra £17m.
The success of Howe’s new-comers, who will be in the Champions League for the first time since 2002 under Sir Bobby Robson, means their £180m turnover will soar by around 50pc.
Their final home game was watched by Saudi PIF chairman Yasir Al Rumayyan, who is rarely in town with a transfer summit set to outline their ambitions in the market this summer.
Howe wants two XI’s to increase “rotation” with at least six midweek games to tackle in Europe before Christmas as well as the Carabao Cup.
He said: “Now we’ve done it and I’m already thinking of what’s next. I think that is where I am in a different position, my mind immediately goes to next season. We don’t just want to enter the competition.”
Howe could seek four or five top new players but warned newcomers must become part of their “mentality togetherness spirit, the right mix of laughter and focus.” He said: “The biggest challenge for us is to maintain that and improve that while adding to the squad but it won’t be huge numbers.
“We have been really good in the three transfer windows. Now we have become a better team, there are fewer players who can make us better. We don’t have the ability to spend the money people think we have. It will be a small group but hopefully ones who can make a difference.”
Defence
Top target will be a ball playing mobile left back, to challenge Dan Burn, who can also be a centre back.
A right sided central defender to challenge Fabian Schar is also a target. The diagonal switch passes from Schar and Sven Botman have been key this season.
Howe doesn’t like rotating his defence but will have to with Euro games.
Midfield
Top priority is a right sided midfielder who can play next to Bruno Guimaraes, and instead of him when he is rested. This will challenge Sean Longstaff who has been brilliant this season. United struggled to plug his absence when he was injured and need legs, combativity and creativity from a new signing.
Forward
A right sided attacker is also a major priority, despite how well Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy did this season.
The left side is well served with Anthony Gordon just bought for £40m and ready to develop in pre season, and Joelinton capable of playing advanced on the left or left midfield. Allan Saint-Maximin is an asset that Howe will want to see fit for longer periods.
