Remarkable claims this week that Newcastle United's owners could dispose of the Magpies to take the reins at Manchester United have already been debunked by allies of club chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan. The Red Devils' prospective takeover has once again revived talk that Saudi backers could purchase the Old Trafford outfit.
Simon Chadwick, professor of sport and geopolitical economy at SKEMA Business School, even went as far as to say the club could be bought by PIF, who would have to sell Newcastle to acquire another Premier League outfit. “ Newcastle United has always seemed like an opportunistic purchase and I think in essence the deal for Newcastle was sold heavily to them by intermediaries,” Chadwick told The Athletic.
“You had a willing seller and the amount of money they paid is small change. The opportunistic purchase of Newcastle, I think, was a consequence of being kicked back by Manchester United in the first place. There probably will be a certain amount of disbelief amongst Saudi officials having bought Newcastle when they really wanted to buy Manchester United.
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"They are now in a position where they could potentially buy Manchester United. I might be going out on a bit of a limb here, but it is not entirely inconceivable that they could dispose of Newcastle and buy Manchester United.”
Newcastle supporters were quick to react to the claim but have already been reassured such a remarkable move isn't currently being plotted by PIF. Saudi Arabia’s sports minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal, recently insisted the investment fund was solely focused on the recently-acquired north east outfit.
“PIF just invested in Newcastle and we are focusing on that. If there is a private investor that wants to come in, why not?" he told The Times. “I think it is a good opportunity and if the numbers add up and, if we can all benefit from that from a business perspective, why not? If there is an opportunity that benefits us I would encourage the private sector to do so.”
Newcastle have experienced a remarkable 12 months both on and off the pitch, with Eddie Howe's side currently sat third in the Premier League table little over one year into his Tyneside tenure.
The Crown Prince continued: “Newcastle, as a club, are benefiting from this purchase, and I think Manchester United, or any other club, would look at these opportunities.”
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