Newcastle United are free of PSR concerns this summer but the rules have been a problem for them before, and transfer target John McGinn believes they are unfair.
Indeed, the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) stopped Newcastle United from strengthening at all last summer.
While Newcastle don’t have any immediate PSR worries this summer, the nature of the rules means that it will always be a long-term consideration.
Clearly, Newcastle are not the only team to have been impacted by them. Everton and Nottingham Forest were both deducted points for PSR breaches, while other teams are struggling to spend huge sums.
Aston Villa are one of them and Newcastle United transfer target McGinn has echoed Eddie Howe’s frustrations on the rules.
John McGinn criticises PSR rules
Earlier this month and before the Newcastle link emerged, McGinn was speaking to Birmingham Live.
The Scotland international was talking of Villa’s relatively quiet summer transfer window and suggested the “unfair” PSR rules were to blame.
“We have seen the impact it has now,” he said.
“I don’t know any details about that, but you don’t have to be clever to realise that if you want to compete with the big boys, there are rules which are pretty much unfair if you ask me.
“We have got owners who want to invest in the team and want to spend to kick the club on, but they are not allowed to do it. It’s tough to see. The rules are similar for a lot of the clubs.”
Geordie Boot Boys have been told that Newcastle have made an enquiry for McGinn and also hold an interest in Villa teammate Jacob Ramsey.
Newcastle are now looking to replace Sean Longstaff, who was sold to Leeds earlier this summer. Joe Willock suffered an injury in pre-season too, leaving the Newcastle United squad light on midfielders.
What Eddie Howe has said about PSR
Back in December, Howe hit out at the spending rules, which do not allow clubs to lose more than £105million over a three-year accounting period.
In the summer of 2024, Newcastle had to sell both Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh against their wishes in order to balance the books.
Speaking to Simon Jordan on the Upfront Podcast, the Newcastle United manager said: “I understand the rules to a degree. I understand the concept but I think how it is fundamentally working at the moment is not right.”
Newcastle are in a strong PSR position this summer but have still been unable to sign many players.
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