
<p>Newcastle executive Dan Ashworth has confirmed that the Magpies might explore the Saudi market in January to find a replacement for the suspended Sandro Tonali.</p>



<p>The Italian midfielder is now serving a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/ac-milan-issue-statement-as-tonali-faces-possible-additional-ban-20231104-WST-467366.html">10-month ban</a> after FIFA extended the worldwide suspension. The 23-year-old was sanctioned by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), last week for violating betting regulations.</p>



<p>According to the FIGC, Tonali was also fined $21,400 for breaking a regulation that forbids players from wagering on matches sanctioned by the FIGC, UEFA, and FIFA. In addition, the player will take part in a treatment program for “recovery from gambling addiction.”</p>



<p>The Italian national team star, according to a statement released by <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/newcastle-united-tv-schedule/">Newcastle</a>, will be eligible to play again on 7 August 2024. When the Premier League powerhouse paid $68 million to bring him from <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/newcastle-ponders-lawsuit-against-milan-over-tonali-transfer-20231025-WST-464683.html">AC Milan</a> in July, he was their second-most expensive acquisition ever. Since then, both sides have denied any prior awareness of any betting violations.</p>



<h2>Ability to shop in Saudi Arabia questioned</h2>



<p>The 10-month suspension handed down to Tonali for betting breaches has created an unexpected void in Newcastle’s roster, which is problematic given the club’s Financial Fair Play worries.</p>



<p>The upper-level management at St. James’ Park is well aware of the necessity to bolster the squad heading into the second half of the season. Consequently, it is tempting to consider loan transfers for one of the numerous star players who signed lucrative agreements with Saudi teams during the summer.</p>



<p>The Public Investment Fund (PIF) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia owns four of the most successful teams in the nation, including an 80 percent majority share in Newcastle. As a result and to the dismay of their league opponents, they may presently recruit big-name players on loan from the Saudi Pro League.</p>



<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/newcastle-line-up-two-ex-epl-stars-to-replace-sandro-tonali-20231028-WST-465582.html">Ruben Neves</a>, a player from Portugal, has been mentioned in connection with a possible comeback to the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/watch-premier-league-on-us-tv-internet/">Premier League</a>. The summer saw Neves leave Wolverhampton for Al-Hilal, although he is said to be eager to return to England.</p>



<h2>What did Dan Ashworth say?</h2>



<p>When asked about replacing Tonali, Newcastle’s director of football Dan Ashworth told <a href="https://theathletic.com/5024717/2023/11/03/newcastles-dan-ashworth-on-tonali-the-january-window-and-loans-from-saudi-arabia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Athletic</a> that the club will be active in the January window. Ashworth is well aware of the scrutiny that will be thrown onto any economic dealings between Newcastle and Saudi clubs.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231105_WST_467454_image.webp&amp;width=442&amp;height=494" alt="" class="wp-image-467463" width="442" height="494" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/image.png 441w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/image-268x300.png 268w" sizes="(max-width: 442px) 100vw, 442px"></figure><figcaption>Dan Ashworth on legalities of signing Ruben Neves </figcaption></figure>



<p>But he said there’s no way to stop it until the Premier League changes the regulations before the January transfer window starts: “The current rules and regulations say there is nothing to stop it.</p>



<p>“But there is a potential that the different organizations will look at things across related parties and what you can do to acquire players at a fair market value. There are lots of ways to do it and we are going to have to be quite creative.</p>



<p>“We have got to do what is best for this football club and get the best players we possibly can for the budget we have got, and that is what my job is. We want to be active.</p>



<p>“We obviously know we are going to be without Sandro for the rest of the season. But we’ve got quite a number of midfield players and we have a number of players who can play in different positions. You saw that the other night [knocking Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup] and that is one of the strengths of the squad. We’ve got a few injuries, but fingers crossed they are back and ready for January anyway.</p>



<p>“To answer the question, we’ve got a number of things we can do. It might not be a like-for-like replacement for Sandro. It could be a player who can play in a different position or multiple positions.”</p>



<p>Photo credit: IMAGO / PA Images</p>


Newcastle exploring Saudi market for Tonali replacement

The Premier League club Newcastle have been given the all-clear to make January acquisitions from the Saudi Pro League, as per their director.

Newcastle exploring Saudi market for Tonali replacement - World Soccer Talk


<p>Many prominent Premier League clubs petitioned the UK government to restrict nation-state governments to purchase ownership in English teams.</p>



<p>A new independent soccer authority may soon take up this request as part of their job. The United Kingdom’s government, meantime, has assured that it would arrive “when parliamentary time allows”, according to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/sep/07/premier-league-clubs-call-to-block-nation-state-ownership" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Guardian</a>.</p>



<h2>English clubs contact UK government over nation-state ownership</h2>



<p>During a consultation process involving several participants in the English soccer ecosystem, the demand for these ownership limitations gathered momentum. Instead of waiting for the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> to submit its own arguments, several teams are said to have gone ahead and lobbied the government on the matter of state ownership.</p>



<p>The report adds that future regulators must determine whether or not potential shareholders and board members are qualified to hold such positions. The government said that feedback from the survey showed broad support for including a question on “ethics and integrity” in the owners and directors test (ODT).</p>



<p>Several parties contested the scope of public ownership in ODTs. The Premier League’s last ODT update did not address nation-state ownership. Now, it is part of the test.</p>



<h5>No more cases like Newcastle?</h5>



<p>Saudi Arabia’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/mls-open-to-saudi-arabian-investment-in-team-ownership-20230714-WST-443266.html">Public Investment Fund (PIF)</a> made headlines by purchasing <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/newcastle-unveils-ucl-squad-featuring-unexpected-addition-20230906-WST-454243.html">Newcastle</a>. Fans began to complain about the league’s treatment of some of its teams. However, further scrutiny rolled in following the PGA and PIF’s ownership of Liv Golf in the United States. </p>



<p>It was all despite the Premier League’s assertion that it had received “legally binding guarantees” against Saudi Arabia taking control of Newcastle. According to official documents, Yasir al-Rumayyan, the governor of PIF and chair of Newcastle, is a minister in the Saudi government. PIF is “a sovereign instrumentality of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”</p>



<p>Several teams in the Premier League began to have reservations about the promises when these findings surfaced. Specifics of the amended ODT from the regulator come out in the near future.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Sportimage</em></p>


EPL clubs seek ban on nation-state ownership like Newcastle

The Premier League sides have asked the government to take steps to prohibit nation-state ownership of team shares.


<p>Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, the current owners of Newcastle United, are reportedly in negotiations to purchase Belgian club KV Oostende. The current ownership group behind the Magpies has been looking to invest in another team for months as part of a global partnership. </p>



<p><em><a href="https://theathletic.com/4432985/2023/04/20/newcastle-united-kv-oostende/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Athletic</a></em> claims that KV Oostende may be available to buy for around $12.4 million. Whilst currently in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/belgian-pro-league-tv-schedule/">Belgian Pro League</a>, Oostende will be relegated from the top flight at the end of the season. </p>



<p>De Kustboys secured a relegation spot after last week’s defeat to Oud-Heverlee. Oostende has one more league match before their relegation to the Challenger Pro League. They previously spent the last decade in the Belgian top flight.</p>



<h2>Majority owners of Newcastle United leading chase for Belgian club</h2>



<p>Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) was part of a consortium that <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-government-active-role-saudi-arabia-newcastle-united-takeover" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">purchased</a> Newcastle United in 2021 for over $400 million. The Saudi fund, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, owns 80% of the North East club. Minority investors in the Magpies include Amanda Staveley, as well as David and Simon Reuben. Part of the PIF conglomerate was in attendance for Oostende’s most recent domestic defeat.</p>



<p>After relegation, Oostende will obviously need significant backing to reach the Belgian top flight again. PIF officials are reportedly ready and willing to make the necessary investment.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🇸🇦 After <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Newcastle?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Newcastle</a>, the PIF, Saudian investment fund, wishes to broaden its field of expertise and has targeted🇧🇪 as an investment country, interesting for its ideal position in Europe.<br>PIF are seduced by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KVOostende?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KVOostende</a> where discussions for a takeover are at an advanced stage. 1/3 <a href="https://t.co/XNAPxzzyu6">pic.twitter.com/XNAPxzzyu6</a></p>— Sacha Tavolieri (@sachatavolieri) <a href="https://twitter.com/sachatavolieri/status/1648767829678645264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>Oostende is currently owned by the Pacific Media Group (PMG). The United States organization acquired the club only three years ago. They also have many other European soccer teams under their umbrella. </p>



<p>These teams include Den Bosch, Esbjerg, Kaiserslautern, Nancy, Oostende, Thun, and GKS Tychy. The aforementioned news outlet also claims that PMG is looking at possibly purchasing an Austrian team as well.</p>



<h2>Additional Premier League owners want Oostende</h2>



<p>Along with Newcastle, other <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> teams have also made tentative enquiries about potentially purchasing Oostende. Wolves and one other English club are the linked parties.</p>



<p>One of the benefits of such a partnership would be the ability to loan players from South America and Africa to the Belgian club. Brighton and Hove Albion have done this expertly for talents who didn’t qualify for a work permit. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&apos;This (if it comes off) has Dan Ashworth’s blueprint all over it. <br>Ashworth saw the massive benefit of Brighton owner Tony Bloom and his business partner buying Union Saint Gilloise.&apos;<br><br>Scott Robson on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NUFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NUFC</a> and the possibility of linking up with more clubs. 👇</p>— True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast (@tfNUFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/tfNUFC/status/1649023122828320769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>Tony Bloom owns both the Seagulls and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. He’s created a pipeline where players signed by Brighton are loaned to Belgium until they qualify.</p>



<p>Oostende may not be Newcastle’s only option either. <em>The Athletic</em> previously reported that PIF also attended a Standard Liege match recently as well. Standard is one of the most successful clubs in Belgium and also currently have American ownership.</p>



<p>Photo credit: <strong>IMAGO / Sportimage</strong></p>


Newcastle and their ownership group are looking to acquire Belgian side KV Oostende, replicating the model created by the City Football Group

Newcastle in talks to buy Belgian team KV Oostende - World Soccer Talk

Newcastle in talks to buy Belgian team KV Oostende


<p>Newcastle could make a move to acquire three players who all play regularly at Chelsea. The Stamford Bridge side is on a tear in the transfer market. It appears Todd Boehly is bringing in any name that appears on the rumor mill.</p>



<p>However, Newcastle could tempt him to recoup some of that Chelsea spending with three players. According to <a href="https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2023/01/16/newcastle-transfer-news-conor-gallagher-ruben-loftus-cheek-ziyech/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luke Edwards from the Telegraph</a>, Newcastle is interested in Hakim Ziyech, Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. However, the club is hesitant to see Gallagher and Loftus-Cheek depart due to mounting injury problems at the club. </p>



<p>Yet, certain parameters mandate that Chelsea get rid of some talent.</p>



<p>Chelsea must sever ties with two non-homegrown talents prior to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 clash with Borussia Dortmund. Chelsea cannot register Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk and Benoit Badiashile without removing a player from the Champions League squad. No club can register more than 17 non-homegrown players. Registering all three of the players would take that total to 18 on the Champions League squad. </p>



<p>Loftus-Cheek and Gallagher are both homegrown players, so they would be practical to keep around. However, Hakim Ziyech fits the description of a player that could go. Plus, Ziyech is a forward, and Mudryk is a natural replacement for his position.</p>



<h2>Newcastle eyes up three Chelsea players</h2>



<p>In terms of what Newcastle wants, Edwards specified that Newcastle would be more interested in a central midfielder. For example, a Conor Gallagher or Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Scott McTominay from Manchester United is another player on the mind of Newcastle for potential players in the middle of the park.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">💪 <a href="https:\/\/t.co/uGFmNBWlvM">https:\/\/t.co/uGFmNBWlvM</a> <a href="https:\/\/t.co/kieYgl1GjS">pic.twitter.com/kieYgl1GjS</a></p>— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/NUFC/status/1615092009953271808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https:\/\/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>Newcastle certainly has the money to spend. The Saudi Investment Fund takeover already led to Newcastle’s most expensive signing. Alexander Isak joined from Real Sociedad in the same window that Sven Botman came over from Lille. Those two players cost Newcastle over $100 million. However, there is more capability to spend.</p>



<p>Plus, Newcastle would be pushing for players in the January window to build on what has been a massive success of a season as we hit the halfway point. Currently, the Magpies are <a href="https:\/\/www.premierleague.com/tables">third in the table</a>, level on points with fourth-place Manchester United.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / PA Images</em></p>


Newcastle is targeting three Chelsea players to bring over as the Blues are strained for names on their squad in the Champions League.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Saudi Public Investment Fund" - Page 3

Leagues: EPL

Newcastle exploring Saudi market for Tonali replacement

Leagues: EPL

EPL clubs seek ban on nation-state ownership like Newcastle

Belgium

Newcastle in talks to buy Belgian team KV Oostende

Chelsea

Newcastle plotting to get three players from Chelsea