OPINION
Newcastle United closed out their first season back in the Premier League on a massive high, comfortably overcoming last year’s champions Chelsea 3-0 at St. James’ Park.
Apart from being a massively significant result, the three points also secured the Magpies an unexpected tenth place in the table, which had looked nigh-on impossible at the start of the campaign.
This top-half finish brings with it a big financial boost, with the Toon in for a breathtaking windfall ahead of a crucial summer transfer window.
As reported by the Chronicle, Newcastle have earned around £126million from this season, with that money coming from broadcast deals and merit money for their tenth place.
That is a massive amount of money for the club to be receiving, and there are now no excuses for the hierarchy ahead of the transfer window.
Manager Rafa Benitez has not been backed sufficiently since he was appointed manager, and he needs to be if he is to stay at the club.
The Spaniard will be eyeing up a place in Europe next season after their successful first campaign back, and Newcastle now have the opportunity to put themselves in a brilliant position by pumping this money back into the squad.
Handing Benitez a transfer budget of around £100million would be a massive statement from the Magpies, with that putting them on a par with lower-spending top-six clubs such as Tottenham.
A summer of big spending would put the Magpies in good stead to challenge for seventh next season, which will most likely lead to the return of European nights to St. James’ Park.
The lack of such occasions gracing the stadium in recent years has been a point of sadness for many involved, and this £126million could see those glories return.
First though, Mike Ashley needs to pull his finger out and actually make this money available to Benitez, who can then set about his work with Lee Charnley to bring in the requisite talent.
