Adrian Goldberg has indicated that upcoming Championship rules could hinder new owners at West Brom from making substantial investments in transfers. The club is reportedly close to a takeover that would mark the end of Guochuan Lai’s tenure, which has seen limited spending on transfers in recent seasons.
Goldberg mentioned on The Liquidator podcast that the proposed rules would restrict Championship clubs from spending more than 70% of their income on player salaries. The suggestion is part of a new agreement between the Premier League and the EFL, with the intention of filtering the concept down through various football leagues. While seen as a sensible idea, it poses a challenge for West Brom, given their history of overspending relative to income.
The expectation that new owners could inject significant funds into the club for transfers may be tempered by these regulations. Chris Lepkowski agreed, stating that the days of owners coming in and making large investments, as exemplified by figures like Jack Walker or Roman Abramovich, are fading. The impact of these rules is expected to constrain the financial freedom of new owners, placing limits on immediate spending.
The report emphasizes that the traditional notion of a new owner immediately revolutionizing a football club through substantial financial backing may no longer be feasible in the EFL. West Brom, having overspent in the past and with a squad already valued at more than 70% of their income, may need to restructure before making significant financial commitments in the transfer market.
While a takeover is viewed as a positive step, the report cautions that West Brom may still face challenges in navigating these regulations and making the necessary squad additions to contend for promotion to the Premier League. The anticipation is that the club’s financial landscape will require careful management and adherence to the new rules.
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