Newcastle United gatecrash Premier League ‘big seven’ as drastic FFP/PSR overhaul revealed

Newcastle United are now considered among the Premier League elite - with major FFP/PSR changes set to be voted on ahead of the summer transfer window.

That is according to the Daily Mail, who claim top-flight officials have been stunned into reform following the January transfer window. Clubs spent a staggering £700million less than they did 12 months earlier, with Newcastle also feeling the pinch despite having the world’s richest owners.

Toon officials warned about financial restrictions in previous windows but caution was viewed as a tactic to keep expectations - and costs - down. However, the true extent of FFP/PSR constraints reared its head in January when Newcastle failed to bolster their squad despite a crippling injury list.

Recent months have seen Everton and Nottingham Forest suffer points deductions for failing to comply with regulations. Both clubs are battling the drop and could be relegated come May as a result of their misspending.

In a dramatic overhaul, the report claims deductions could be scrapped and replaced with fines. The “luxury tax” would slap clubs with increasing fines the more they continue to operate above their limit.

From a Newcastle perspective, this means the Saudi-backed regime may choose to splash the cash regardless of breaching FFP/PSR restrictions. Any fines recouped by the Premier League would then be distributed between clubs that complied.

An overwhelming 17 clubs are thought to be keen on radical change. At least 14 are needed to implement proposals, with those at both ends of the table affected by the current system.

Interestingly, Newcastle are now considered to have gatecrashed the historic “big six” bracket. Differences were well-documented during the Saudi takeover saga that stalled for over 18 months.

Amanda Staveley publicly claimed the elite clubs were “jealous” and worked together to block the deal. However, those hostilities have since subsided and the Magpies are now, according to the report, part of the newly created “big seven”.