Newcastle United cannot manage to free themselves from the shackles of PSR.
The summer transfer window was almost singlehandedly ruined by the Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Newcastle were forced to sell Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh before the end of June to avoid facing a potential points deduction.
The financial regulations have also put a hard cap on Newcastle’s spending, with the Magpies unable to tap into the immense wealth of their owners.
Eddie Howe warned that Newcastle are still under PSR pressure and may have to make further sales in future windows to balance their books.
Club legend Alan Shearer believes one of Newcastle’s best players could be put on the market.
Alan Shearer makes Sven Botman transfer claim
Newcastle have been without Sven Botman since March when he suffered an ACL injury that has left him on the sidelines with a likely return in early 2025.
The 24-year-old has impressed since signing for £32m in 2022, but injuries have stopped him from enjoying a lengthy run in Howe’s side.
Sean Longstaff believes Botman is one of two “world-class” players at Newcastle alongside Alexander Isak, with the Newcastle midfielder insisting he is even better than club captain Bruno Guimaraes.
Shearer agrees that Botman is one of Newcastle’s best players, but believes that could lead to him being sold for PSR purposes.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer said: “They look really mean again at the back. There has been no respite hardly for him [Dan Burn] and Fabian Schar because of the injuries to Botman and Lascelles.
“Particularly Botman because he is a big player, you know. He is the one that if he gets a run in the team, he is not far away, I think he is near full training, so he may be another month or five, six weeks away.
“But if he can get a run in the team, he is the one that the big boys would be looking at. When you talk about Newcastle and PSR, and Bruno or Isak or whatever, he is another one.
“If he can get a run in the team, Botman, he could be a really big player.”
Newcastle may have to sell Sven Botman
If Newcastle are under huge pressure to raise funds to comply with PSR, then Botman is one of a handful of stars who will be considered for a sale.
Newcastle will be desperate to keep hold of Alexander Isak amid interest from Chelsea and Arsenal. The Swedish striker is almost impossible to replace.
Guimaraes is also extremely valuable but his leadership and quality in midfield is priceless.
Anthony Gordon has just signed a new long-term contract at Newcastle and looks eager to stay, which leaves Botman as the last option to raise funds.
Newcastle have been in the market for a new centre-back as Botman’s lack of availability has left Howe short.
Selling Botman and reinvesting in another top-class defender could be an option, but it would be a painful decision for Newcastle to make.
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