---
title: "Newcastle: Magpies merit payment ‘doubled’ after strong finish to the season"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-magpies-merit-payment-doubled-after-strong-finish-to-the-season/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Comerford"
section: "Newcastle United"
published: "2021-05-25T11:10:53Z"
modified: "2021-05-25T11:10:53Z"
---

# Newcastle: Magpies merit payment ‘doubled’ after strong finish to the season

**Newcastle United’s strong run of form at the end of the Premier League season has ‘doubled’ their merit payment from the Premier League, according to lawyer [Paul Stothard](https://twitter.com/paul_stothard/status/1396512694765826049).**

### The lowdown

Newcastle were [17th in the Premier League](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/56383511) after a dismal 3-0 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion prior to the March international break.

However, they moved clear of the relegation zone with a run of [eight points from four matches](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/newcastle-united/spielplan/verein/762), picking up commendable draws with Tottenham and Liverpool either side of back-to-back victories against Burnley and Newcastle.

Steve Bruce’s side suffered home losses against Arsenal and Manchester City in their last five games but also picked up [another three wins](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/newcastle-united/spielplan/verein/762). They impressively won at Leicester before downing Sheffield United in front of fans at St James’ Park and beating Fulham 2-0 on the final day.

That was enough for a 12th-placed finish and, between matchdays 31 and 38, the Magpies were fifth in the [form table](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/premier-league/formtabelle/wettbewerb/GB1?saison_id=2020&min=31&max=38).

### The latest

Finishing 17th would have netted Newcastle a merit payment of just £8.5m from the Premier League, but they are now set for a windfall of twice that amount. Stothard [tweeted](https://twitter.com/paul_stothard/status/1396512694765826049): “Moving from 17th to 12th with victories over Sheffield United and Fulham doubled Newcastle’ merit payment from the PL (from £8.5 to 17m).”

Shields Gazette journalist [Liam Kennedy](https://twitter.com/LiamJKennedy23/status/1396513040519122946?s=19) suggested that this may represent a ‘summer budget boost’ for the Magpies, adding that ‘the more in the pot the better’ given the effects of the global pandemic on the club’s balance sheets.

### The verdict

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley will surely be reluctant to invest significant sums of his own money this summer given his [reported desperation](https://theathletic.com/2580633/2021/05/18/explained-two-separate-cases-newcastle-united-takeover/) to sell the club, so this boosted influx from the Premier League could actually be quite important.

Bruce deserved to be [criticised](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-steve-bruce-talksport-interview-20562579) for leading Newcastle into the mire in the first place, but he also deserves credit for their fine finish to the campaign. The added £8.5m from those concluding victories over the last week may just finance one astute signing this summer which they may not have been able to afford had they lost both games.

**In other news, [Mark Douglas dropped this update on Newcastle’s Joe Willock chances](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-transfer-rumours/joe-willock-arsenal-premier-league-4/).**