Newcastle United transfers: CEO Darren Eales has responded to speculation linking the club with Saudi Pro League players.
Newcastle United have ‘no intention’ of doing business with any PIF-owned Saudi Pro League clubs during the January transfer window.
The Magpies have been linked with a number of Saudi Pro League players, including former Premier League stars Ruben Neves and Aleksandar Mitrovic, who are currently at Al Hilal. Al Hilal is one of four Saudi Pro League clubs, including Newcastle, that are majority-owned by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund.
Mitrovic has been in prolific form for the Saudi Pro League leaders, scoring 25 goals in 26 games across all competitions, while Neves has been a regular starter in midfield since his £47 million summer transfer from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
While Newcastle voted against suggestions to outlaw related-party loan transactions ahead of the January transfer window, the club’s CEO, Darren Eales, made his position clear.
“No, there is no intention as things stand to do any loans from the PIF clubs in Saudi Arabia,” he said.
When asked about PIF’s multi-club ownership model in reference to Newcastle, Eales responded: “From our standpoint, we’re looking at a number of various initiatives, so that’s something we’d continue to look at, but it’s not something that comes to mind right now. Right now, it’s really preliminary.”
However, with no restrictions stopping Newcastle from making agreements with other PIF-owned teams, head coach Eddie Howe said he would be ‘open’ to any transactions that might benefit his team.
“I’m open to signing players from anywhere if they’re good enough and they make our team better,” he stated.
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