Newcastle United have felt like they’re on the verge of becoming a truly elite club for a while now.
Newcastle are the richest club in world football, and they have a lot of the tools needed to really kick on.
They have a rampant, and huge, fanbase, they have some world-class players – for example, Alexander Isak is a £200m player at this point, and they have the financial backing.
Unfortunately, in the era of Profit and Sustainability rules, Newcastle aren’t necessarily able to spend as much as they like, so they need to bring in some further revenue streams.
Newcastle need to increase matchday revenue, and there has been a lot of chat recently about moving into a new stadium.
Speaking on the Sky Sports Back Pages Podcast, Martin Hardy has been discussing Newcastle’s situation in terms of redeveloping their stadium, and he says that the club are leaning towards moving away from St James’ Park at this point.
Newcastle leaning towards moving into new stadium
According to Hardy, Newcastle are leaning towards moving into a new stadium as they look to increase revenue streams.
However, the journalist notes that is some way away at the moment, and there is still talk about increasing the capacity of the current ground.
“There was talk today of a new stadium and the leaning seems slightly towards moving from St James’ Park, again, to increase revenue streams, but that’s a long way down the line.
“Newcastle insist there are two options and one of those is increasing the capacities in St James’ Park.”
Where will Newcastle’s new stadium be?
Newcastle could soon move into a new stadium, but there are bound to be concerns about where this ground will be.
Indeed, the great thing about Newcastle’s current home is that it’s slap-bang in the middle of the city. It’s incredibly accessible and that adds to the matchday experience.
Luckily, if Newcastle are to move, they won’t be going too far.
According to Craig Hope, Newcastle could move into Leazes Park, just a stone’s throw from the current ground.
I’m increasingly believing will be an attempt to move into Leazes Park. That isn’t easy, that isn’t straightforward. But there is a recognition on the inside now that a new stadium is needed, but they want to stay on the site,” Hope said.
“St James’ is wonderful, it’s fantastic, I don’t have to go over that, but is it fit for purpose in terms of being that top class level of stadium we see now around the world? If Newcastle can maintain that city centre location and that iconic spot on the top of the hill but by building just behind in Leazes Park.
Whether or not these plans go ahead remains to be seen, but there could be some changes afoot on Tyneside in terms of a new stadium before too long.