Newcastle United could match Real Madrid mega training complex as PIF’s grand vision explained

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PIF don’t do half measures and, crucially, infrastructure spending is exempt from PSR – so expect something special when Newcastle United come to build their new training base.

When the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) took over Newcastle in 2021, they promised no expense would be spared to give the Magpies the foundations for domestic and European success.

Nearly four years into the project, Eddie Howe’s side are miles ahead of schedule. They are now the favourites to qualify for the Champions League via the Premier League for a second time in the PIF era.

But the infrastructure investment hasn’t yet materialised besides one or two upgrades to improve the an experience at St James’ Park.

But there is no use in rushing these things. Plans to build a new stadium adjacent to St James’ Park are accelerating, which will be a game-changer for the club financially.

A cursory look at the stadiums the sovereign wealth fund is building for the 2034 World Cup tells you all you need about how ambitious they are in this department.

Newcastle earned a club-record £50m through the turnstiles last season, but that was still oceans behind the so-called Big Six. For Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) purposes, that’s a problem.

A new commercially-focused stadium would give Newcastle potentially three times as much PSR headroom as St James’ Park. That’s a big deal for the budget available to Howe and Paul Mitchell.

When it comes to a new training ground, which is not a cash generative assets, the benefits are less immediately apparent. However, they are still very real.

• READ MORE: Newcastle United and PIF could now pull off £88m PSR trick as sources confirm Premier League green light

Could new Newcastle training centre be a draw for new signings?

This week, Newcastle submitted plans to extend their training ground at Darsley Park.

The plans, which if approved would be complete by 2026, are effectively a placeholder, however, as PIF have confirmed their ambitions to build an entirely new facility on a different site.

This will be a much more expensive project, with £200m reportedly ringfenced already and costs liable to go well beyond that.

Speaking exclusively to TBR Football, University of Liverpool football finance lecturer Kieran Maguire gave his view on whether the new training ground could be a draw in terms of recruitment and retention.

“This can be a marginal benefit as far as appeal to players is concerned,” said the Price of Football author and podcast host.

“When I have conversations with players, the things they are most interested in are playing in the Champions League.

“Secondly, do I think the manage can make me a better player? The vast majority of players want to be the best version of themselves, so they need to believe in the manager and their plans.

“Thirdly, it’s about how it affects your worth. Things such as this are secondary issues but an issue all the same. It’s not going to equal being offered an extra £50,000 per week.

• READ MORE: Newcastle, Tottenham and West Ham eye AC Milan defender likened to Sergio Ramos

What can PIF achieve with brand new training complex?

Newcastle have reportedly enlisted Populous, the firm behind Real Madrid’s new training complex opened in 2005, to design their new site.

“The standard is so high around the world,” says Maguire, analysing whether Newcastle can match the levels of the world’s biggest clubs when it comes to infrastructure.

“If you take a look at what Spurs, Man City, Real Madrid and some of the European teams have to offer, it’s very difficult to get to that level.

“Newcastle might be able to get something that matches but isn’t necessarily 20 or 30 per cent better.

“Every new stadium or training ground is a work in progress for the next one – they learn what works better for the next one.”

• READ MORE: Newcastle leading the interest to sign £50m Premier League attacker who has also been looked at by Arsenal and Liverpool

Newcastle United agent fees revealed

It has been another busy season for Newcastle in the transfer market, although PSR has made them have to concentrate on the out door as much as recruitment.

The number of transactions the Magpies were involved in shows in the FA’s recently published list of agents’ fees for the season.

Only five clubs spent more than Newcastle, who shelled out £24m on intermediaries throughout the summer and January.