Newcastle United’s squad is among the top ten most expensive in the world and only £40 million cheaper than that of Real Madrid, according to data from the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES).
Premier League clubs dominate the most expensive squads in world football, with eight of the top ten being clubs in England’s top flight. Only the so-called big six have dished out more money on players than Newcastle out of the British clubs, with the Magpies sitting ninth in the table overall. United are still some way behind the world’s top spenders, however, with four clubs – Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and PSG – having spent over a billion euros to assemble their current squads, compared to Newcastle’s €661m (£576m).
The transformation since the relegation-threatened days of Mike Ashley and Steve Bruce has felt meteoric, but it’s taken plenty of hard work behind the scenes to lift the club from the foot of the Premier League to the glamour of the Champions League group stages. In particular, success in the transfer market has been key to the success, with Eddie Howe being given plenty of backing in a bid to keep the club at Europe’s top table.
Broken up by position, the Magpies’ midfield alone has set the club back €261m, with only six sides in world football boasting a more expensive selection of midfielders, while a further €229m has been spent on Newcastle’s forward line, with the defence costing a more modest €150m.
The figures, compiled by the Switzerland-based research group, take into account transfer fees that include add-ons and loan fees.
