(Credit: Imago/talkSPORT)

Jacob Raw

Wed 3 June 2026 8:45, UK

Kieran Maguire has suggested that West Bromwich Albion‘s player costs could negatively impact their first season under the new Squad Cost Ratio rules.

The Baggies well and truly had their fair share of issues with Profit and Sustainability Rules in recent years, and Albion were finally dealt a big blow at the end of last season.

West Brom were found to have breached PSR limits as the EFL imposed a two-point deduction that almost resulted in James Morrison‘s side being relegated.

After a review of the decision, it was suggested that the Black Country Club had committed one of the smallest breaches in EFL history, but Shilen Patel and Co, had still stepped over the line.

Now, West Brom have to deal with SCR rules, which allow clubs to spend around 85 per cent of revenue, as squad costs include things like transfer fees, staff fees, and importantly, player wages.

Kieran Maguire concerned over West Brom’s 130% player costs

The new SCR rules are generally much more beneficial for recently relegated sides, and those that earn a higher income than most, like Birmingham City and Wrexham.

Albion recorded revenue of £30million in June of 2025, which, when looked at in detail, is a smidge on the sides coming down to the Championship.

Those at Albion know it will be a difficult summer, and perhaps one where the Baggies will need to rebuild, as some contract decisions already prove the truth.

Speaking on the Price of Football podcast, football finance professor Maguire had high praise for Patel and Co., but did raise a concern over the player costs issues that West Brom face with the transition to SCR rules.

Maguire said: “Looking at West Brom’s results, they are a mixed bag. In the last two seasons, wages have significantly exceeded revenue; the losses are £650,000 a week, that’s almost £100k a day.

“The issue for West Brom in the era of SCR, where they can spend 85 per cent of their revenue on player costs, is that if last year player costs were 130 per cent, how are you going to get that figure down?

“It will be a challenging season, unless there are player sales. But they are in much better hands than the previous regime.”

With that being said, it will be interesting to see what decisions Albion look to make this summer.

Two sales feared by West Brom supporters

West Brom have let Daryl Dike, Jed Wallace, and Joe Wildsmith leave the club following the expiration of their respective contracts.

Dike and Wallace, in particular, were both who didn’t do enough to earn new deals, especially considering the Premier League-like wages that they were both being paid.

Getting rid of the trio was the first of what could be a big summer overhaul, as the future of Albion duo Mikey Johnston and Isaac Price is feared by West Brom supporters.

There’s a belief that Johnston will stay, but three Premier League clubs have their eyes on Price, who should only be allowed to leave The Hawthorns for £10million.

Either way, Baggies fans may have to accept that some players are bound to leave, but it’s probably for the greater good of the Black Country Club.