Projected Premier League Positions under Profit Sustainability and Ownership Rules and Possible Teams Facing Regulatory Violations
The Lowdown on Premier League Clubs' Fiscal Health for 2025/26
As the curtain falls on the 2024/25 financial year and the 2025/26 Premier League season looms, several clubs find themselves under the spotlight regarding their Profit and Sustainability (P&S) compliance. Here's a glance at where they stand.
Keep in mind that, as we peer into the future, these assessments are mere educated guesses based on available but incomplete information.
P&S Contenders: Who's in the Game?
While a dozen clubs are considered in the middle of the pack and reasonably stable, a few stand out:
- Arsenal, Brentford, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, West Ham, Wolves, Bournemouth, Sunderland - Each could rake up a loss of £50 million to £100 million, without worrying too much about P&S violations.
Big Spenders: Clubs with Deep Wallets
Some clubs are brimming with funds, though their calculations can get complex. For instance, Manchester United, with an estimated allowable loss of up to £141 million, due to their corporate structure and intricate financial dealings.
Compared to United, Brighton, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Tottenham are the cream of the crop, with each capable of absorbing losses nearing £300 million. Brighton, in particular, boasts a shrewd transfer market strategy that has built up their P&S cushion. Meanwhile, Chelsea has leveraged numerous internal asset sales, including their women's team, hotels, and car parks, to strengthen their position.
P&S Watchlist: Clubs Caught in the Crosshairs
Aston Villa heads the list of clubs at risk, owing to their substantial pre-tax losses over the past two years. They are estimated to have a loss buffer of merely £15 million. Expect Villa to sell more players before the month's end to stay afloat.
Leeds United and especially Burnley, promoted this season from the Championship, need to act carefully, given their strained P&S positions. Burnley must record a profit of £20 million to avoid violating P&S rules, making them the only club in the Premier League that cannot tolerate any losses. However, Burnley has the advantage of being a newly-promoted club, which gives them some wiggle-room with their financial accounting, as well as big-ticket player sales last summer.
Finally, Everton and Newcastle require a watchful eye due to their tight financial situations in previous seasons. Newcastle could see a more favorable financial position once the new season starts in July, thanks to their Champions League qualification.
Stay Tuned: We'll keep you posted on any further developments in this evolving financial landscape.
Sources:1. The Athletic2. Sky Sports
In light of the approaching 2025/26 Premier League season and ongoing financial assessments, European football leagues such as Arsenal, Brentford, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, West Ham, Wolves, Bournemouth, and Sunderland may lose between £50 million to £100 million, avoiding significant P&S compliance issues. Meanwhile, Manchester United's intricate financial dealings allow for an allowable loss of up to £141 million, while Brighton, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Tottenham can absorb losses closer to £300 million. Clubs like Aston Villa, Leeds United, Burnley, Everton, and Newcastle need to maintain careful financial management due to their fragile fiscal health.
