Newcastle United’s huge net transfer spend highlights FFP weakness compared to European giants

Latest data from Swiss experts CIES has revealed the net spend of every club across the last decade

Newcastle United have the sixth highest net spend in world football over last decade and the fourth highest since 2019, new data from the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) has revealed.

It’s been a transformational few years for United, with much of the transfer outlay coming since the PIF takeover in 2021. Since then the club’s fortunes have been turned around, and as supporters prepare for their European tour in the Champions League group stages later this month, few would argue that it hasn’t been money well spent.

The Magpies have spent almost €600 million (£515m) since 2019, which began with the signings of Joelinton and Allan Saint-Maximin under the stewardship of Steve Bruce and Mike Ashley. Expensive moves for Callum Wilson and Jamal Lewis followed the next season before the ownership of the club changed hands.