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6th June 2025
04:13pm BST
With the transfer window now open, Premier League clubs will be keen to strengthen in the ever-changing top-flight of English football. However, for some, it may not be as easy as anticipated.
Complying with Profit and Sustainability rules, every side must complete their accounts shortly, with many last ditch transfers documented last June to comply with regulations.
Arsenal, Liverpool and West Ham United have already submitted their accounts, with Burnley and Sunderland's accounting years ending on 31 July, as per Mirror Football.
The Athletic compiled a headline estimate of how much each side can lose before tax in order to avoid a breach, with The Mirror also ranking from lowest to highest.
The headline estimate includes figures from the 2022-23 season and the 2023-24 season, ranked from the least likely to breach PSR to most likely.
The pre-tax loss limit estimated is from the 2024-25 season.
Chelsea have a major amount of headway with PSR ahead of the transfer window. Through the sale of car parks, hotels and the club's women's team, the Blues have created a huge opportunity to spend big this summer.
2. Brighton & Hove Albion (estimated pre-tax loss limit in 2024/25: £295m)
Having earned a mammoth pre-tax profit of £208.4m over the past two years, through high-profile sales of the likes of Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister, Brighton also can afford to spend a large budget in the summer.
Through their Category 1 academy too, The Seagulls are further covered from potential PSR issues.
3. Man City (estimated pre-tax loss limit in 2024/25: £292m)
Accumulating a profit of £154.1m over the past two years, City can afford to spend big this summer.
Despite early exits in the Champions League and Carabao Cup, earnings will likely be retrieved from the Club World Cup this summer.
4. Tottenham Hotspur (estimated pre-tax loss limit in 2024/25: £227m)
Spurs could spend £250m this summer and still remain complaint with PSR rules. Due to the new stadium, Europa League prize money and upcoming Champions League campaign only adds to this.
5. Manchester United (estimated pre-tax loss limit in 2024/25: £141m)
The side's PSR stand is estimated through the accounts of Red Football Limited, a subsidiary of the Manchester United plc.
This means that a big spending summer can be allowed at Old Trafford, bearing none of the losses over recent times.
6. Arsenal (estimated pre-tax loss limit in 2024/25: £97m)
The pre-tax loss for the Gunners is estimated at £34.6m, enabling a large budget to play with.
Through selling academy graduates Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe, Arsenal boast a healthy situation.
7. West Ham United (estimated pre-tax loss limit in 2024/25: £95m)
After selling Declan Rice for a whopping £100m in 2023, the Hammers' profit remains at a healthy £57.2m over the last two years.
In need of a summer rebuild after many players left upon the expiry of their contracts, Graham Potter has plenty of buying opportunities in the market.
8. Crystal Palace (estimated pre-tax loss limit in 2024/25: £90m)
The FA Cup winners have received large equity funding in recent years, as per The Mirror, enabling for a maximum PSR amount of £105m.
Winning the grandest cup trophy of English football and large sales such as Michael Olise will additionally put the Eagles in a brilliant position.
9. Nottingham Forest (estimated pre-tax loss limit in 2024/25: £85m)
An impressive 7th-placed Premier League finish has put Forest in a position of power, through generating a £34.2m in prize money.
After a points deduction in 2023/24, the club should now have no concerns over breaching PSR regulations.
10. Newcastle United (estimated pre-tax loss limit in 2024/25: £83m)
The Toon Army have now no concerns regarding PSR. Commercial income and high-profile sales of Lloyd Kelly and Miguel Almiron help their position.
11. Fulham (estimated pre-tax loss limit in 2024/25: £77m)
It is understood the Cottagers can lose £77m this year and still have no PSR concerns, as per Mirror Football.
12. Liverpool (estimated pre-tax loss limit in 2024/25: £75m)
Due to a massive increase in revenues and profits of player sales, the Premier League champions can afford to lose £75m this summer.
13. Brentford (estimated pre-tax loss limit in 2024/25: £58m)
With the combination of the sizeable Ivan Toney sale and prize money from finishing 10th, Brentford have absolutely no PSR concerns.
14. Wolverhampton Wanderers (estimated pre-tax loss limit in 2024/25: £56m)
Due to a high profile amount of sales last season through Max Kilman and Pedro Neto, The Old Gold should have no PSR concerns either.
This summer, Matheus Cunha sale to Manchester United and the likely Rayan Aït-Nouri departure to Man City will give the club a sizeable budget.
15. Leeds United (estimated pre-tax loss limit in 2024/25: £42m)
Despite big purchases in the past two years, Leeds United have made mass sales. Georginio Rutter, Archie Gray and Crysencio Summerville all left the club last summer for big money.
This means that Daniel Farke's should avoid having to make more high-profile sales as they aim to stay in the big time.
16. Everton (estimated pre-tax loss limit in 2024/25: £39m)
Losing £142.3m over the last two years and a points deduction, Everton have had significant PSR regulations in the past.
The club can only lose £39m this summer.
17. Bournemouth (estimated pre-tax loss limit in 2024/25: £35m)
Due to a £71.4m loan being written off in a PRS calcuation, Bournemouth were allowed to spend big last summer.
Despite a very low loss limit, the sale of Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid should help massively, with many other high-profile stars linked with big moves away.
18. Sunderland (estimated pre-tax loss limit in 2024/25: £33m)
The three years in the PSR calculation are capped at £39m over three years, as the club haven't been in the top-flight in the past eight years.
The Black Cats made several big summer departures last season though, so they should be fine.
19. Aston Villa (estimated pre-tax loss limit in 2024/25: £15m)
Making several big sales in past windows, Villa will have to do the same again, after missing out on Champions League football in agonising fashion.
Emiliano Martinez is currently the most high-profile player in Unai Emery's side being linked with a major move away from Villa Park.
20. Burnley (estimated pre-tax loss limit in 2024/25: +20m)
The Clarets are the only side needing to record a profit in order to comply with PSR regulations.
Recording a loss of a reported £64.4m over the past two years and their recent relegation followed by promotion means that Scott Parker's side can record a loss of £61m.
