Liverpool owner John Henry has called for more 'limits on spending' in the Premier League in a move that would further restrict what Newcastle United could do in the transfer market.
Top-flight clubs are already bound by the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules, which allow for total losses of £105m over a three-year period, while clubs competing in Europe must also comply with UEFA's financial sustainability regulations. UEFA's squad cost rule will eventually cap what clubs can spend on wages, transfer fees and agents' fees to 70% of revenues from 2025/26 and Newcastle will be well-aware of that as the Magpies bid to get into Europe.
However, Henry, who was a supporter of the breakaway European Super League a couple of years ago, wants the Premier League to go a step further at a time when the top-flight, coincidentally, has been especially competitive this season. Arsenal, for instance, are five points clear at the top having not won the title since 2004; Newcastle are currently just a point off fifth-placed Liverpool with a game in hand; and Fulham, Brighton and Brentford are all above 10th-placed Chelsea in the table.
READ MORE: Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City players' 'annoying' Newcastle stadium admission crowd will love
Liverpool are conscious of the threat a newly-ambitious Newcastle will pose and boss Jurgen Klopp admitted just last month that the 'financial possibilities they will have in the future are exceptional' at a time when the Reds are trying to secure external investment themselves. Perhaps you can see why pundit Gary Neville feels Henry's proposal would be just another way for the 'established elite' to 'lock in their positions'.
“There are ever-increasing financial challenges in the Premier League,” Henry told the Liverpool Echo.
“The league itself is extraordinarily successful and is the greatest football competition in the world, but we’ve thought for some time there should be limits on spending so that the league doesn’t go the way of European leagues where one or two clubs annually have little competition.
“Excitement depends on competition and is the most important component of the Premier League.”
READ NEXT
Stadium mastermind gives Newcastle expansion hope after previous 60,000-seater and hotel plan
What Pep Guardiola really told Bruno Guimaraes after gate-crashing Newcastle star's interview
Eddie Howe might be about to give crowd what they want as Newcastle boss vows not to 'shy away'
Newcastle may have £108m solution to achieve dream even if it will lead to some ruthless calls
Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland anger Lascelles but Man City pay Newcastle ultimate compliment
