It's early days, but we had a great average attendence at Wembley and a CL campaign that kept the money coming, and we've done brilliantly to qualify and bring CL football to the new shiny stadium, both will draw even more money into the coffers.
There will be a bit of a shake out finance wise, but once the project is completed and interest rates holding low, Levy can re-finance for the long term and the success of the various revenue streams we have lined up will start to be analysed making the team facing financial budgets more confidently predicted. It's fair to say that the belt (compared to the old WHL) can be loosened a notch or two from the get go.
I think the main focus will be on keeping the top level players at the club happy, and that comes via new contracts and a bump in pay. £17M a year gives us £327,000 extra to pay out in wages a week. That still would put us £50m approx a year behind Liverpool/Arsenal.....but slowly slowly
Funds for Poch will be there. Upfront and from sales
Sissoko £25m
Llorente £10m
Jansen £10m
Nkodou £8m
Toby £50m
Edwards £5m
I'd like Rose and Toby to stay, just as senior players, saving the hassle of replacing them and knowing already that they are very good. I'm thinking Toby will go though. I think Rose will stay.
Dembele i would like to stay. If he can be available for 25-30 games that's good enough for me, especially if we are only gonna get £10m. I think the decision is his to stay or go.
Now depending on who Poch wants and/or considers vital positions that need strengthening, he may, due to overall budgets, consider that others are dispensable at little detriment to the strength of the squad but brings cah in to spend.
For example. KWP can be back-up to Tripps /Aurier so one could be sold. Also depending who comes in Lamela could be sold. Im a fan of Lamela BUT i think he needs to decide what type of player he is. His hounding and pressing is exceptional but im not sure he was ever that type of player at Roma....he let his technical ability and skills help his team and contributed numerous goals. That doesn't appear his approach anymore, i think that player is in there but the seasons pass and we're constantly hoping he takes off.
Potentials....
Aurier/Trips £20m
Lamela £30m
Rose £45m
Dembele £15m
So £108m + £110m potentials........looking at it like that its easy to see that we haven't got to dig deep. FWIW i think we can net spend £50M+ (if we have to) based on my mind reading of Levy and his spreadsheets.
Shopping list.....so far
De Ligt £50m
Martial £45m
