Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler believes Newcastle United’s £300million Saudi-backed takeover has the potential to change the landscape of English football. Like Manchester City and PSG before them, the Magpies became the latest club to be backed by a Gulf state’s billions when Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund acquired an 80% stake last October.
Co-owner and figurehead of the takeover Amanda Staveley promised on arrival to win the Premier League within five to 10 years. Governance by Financial Fair Play - regulations Man City did not have to observe during their meteoric rise - means breaking into the upper echelons of the division is a tougher challenge than it was in 2008.
The new owners have spoken of a “steady build”, building the club and its infrastructure gradually to keep in line with FFP. Despite this, the Magpies have still spent around £150million on new players since the takeover and more are expected to arrive this summer.
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Fowler sees the potential at St James’ Park and has fired a warning to the Premier League big boys. The ex-Reds striker thinks “manoeuvring” through financial regulations holds the key for Newcastle in the coming years.
“They (Newcastle) can change the shape of English football forever,” Fowler wrote in his Daily Mirror column. “Without doubt, the owners of the club have the capacity to outspend any club in the world, IF they are allowed to.
“We’ve seen what PSG have done in the transfer market, and the disastrous effect that has had on some clubs, like Barcelona, trying to compete with them. We’ve seen the impact Manchester City have had too.
“If Newcastle’s owners can find a way to manoeuvre through the FFP rules and the Premier League’s profit and sustainability legislation, then they really will be able to compete with those two clubs and every one of the big guns in English football.
“I have no doubt they will try, too. The club is owned by the Saudi nation’s Public Investment Fund, and there’s a clue in the title. Newcastle is an investment, and there is a desire to see a return on that investment.”
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