Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund eyeing purchase of another European club

Newcastle United's Saudi Arabian owners are eyeing up the possibility of adding a second European club to their portfolio, thanks to UEFA's recent decisions.

The meme of someone complaining about how long a week it's been and the reply comes 'it's only Tuesday' comes to mind when thinking about Saudi Arabia and football.

Despite there being over a month and a half of the transfer window left the Middle Eastern country have been very busy in the transfer window.

The country's Public Investment Fund, who own Newcastle, decided to buy the four biggest clubs in the Saudi Pro League and it's been a madness ever since.

Marcelo Brozovic, N'Golo Kante, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Ruben Neves and Karim Benzema are amongst the players who have moved to the league already.

Next up to move could be Jordan Henderson, if the Liverpool captain decides to give up the armband at Anfield and join Steven Gerrard's new team.

But it appears that the PIF's ambitions lie further afield than their own country and closer to Premier League Newcastle, who they bought in 2021.

According to finance experts Bloomberg, the investment fund are eyeing up another 'top European club' to go alongside the Magpies in their portfolio.

It's partially down to the fact that UEFA are allowing Brighton, Aston Villa and Toulouse to compete in their competitions next season, despite those clubs being owned by investors who also own other clubs.

Newcastle owners Amanda Staveley and Yasir Al-Rumayyan. Image: Getty

There has been a rule by UEFA about teams competing in the Champions League, Europa League or Europa Conference League whilst owned by other clubs in the competition.

However they have become more lenient on it or the clubs have found ways around it, which may have encouraged the PIF to not worry about one of their clubs not being allowed in the Champions League.

Europe's top competition is one that Eddie Howe's side have qualified for next season, which will be the first time in 20 years they're competing in it.

Newcastle's owners have previously looked into buying Belgium’s KV Oostende but may change their target if they believe two higher profile clubs could compete together.

Jamie Carragher has already hit out at PIF's increased standing in football, though he refuses to criticise any players who go there.

Topics: Premier League, Football, UEFA, Champions League, Newcastle United

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a journalist for SPORTbible with over eight years of experience. Passionate about all sports, he mainly covers football and F1 - Daniel Ricciardo once spent an entire interview referring to him as 'Ryan Gosling,' still his proudest moment.

@Sidler28