Exactly - that's the rub. David Jones says in the interview on another thread that Albion aim for a small surplus in 17/18, which seems to give sensible leeway to be able to poach a couple of good players using parachute monies for 18/19 if we are relegated.
Not sure it is a clear as you make out. In the previous season, Aston Villa were 6th highest spenders with £50m, Newcastle 7th with £49m and (to be fair) Norwich 20th with £7m (see...