PSG completed 2 massive deals during the summer transfer window, making Neymar and Kylian Mbappe the 2 most expensive footballers on the planet after completing £198million £128million deals respectively for them.
Newcastle could be next to make such massive moves in the transfer market in few years to come, as their takeover would likely be sealed by money-spending investors from Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates.
This is according to Professor Simon Chadwick, a sports business expert at Salford University.
Chadwick took to Twitter to explain his takeover theory, claiming the Middle East countries are keen to rival Qatar following their acquisition of PSG and massive investment in the French giants.
Newcastle Utd: suspect main buyer will either be Saudi Arabian or from Dubai. Tyneside part of ongoing GCC struggle & soft power stand-off?
— Prof Simon Chadwick (@Prof_Chadwick) October 31, 2017
To those asking: Saudi Arabia rolling-back state frontiers e.g. by privatising its own fball clubs. That said, govt-backed acquisition of…
— Prof Simon Chadwick (@Prof_Chadwick) October 31, 2017
…overseas fball assets e.g. clubs, may be seen as a counter strike to acquisitions made by Qatar in recent years e.g. PSG.
— Prof Simon Chadwick (@Prof_Chadwick) October 31, 2017
Mike Ashley put Newcastle up for sale last month, and front-running bidder Amanda Staveley has lots of connections with Middle Eastern investors.
As a result, Chadwick’s conclusion makes sense, and the Magpies could actually be on their way to becoming true football powers like Manchester City have become years after their takeover.
Having spent below £40 million during the summer, the Saint James’ Park outfit will only be playing for survival this term.
However, with talks of a possible £500million war chest set to be handed to the club for transfers over the coming seasons once the takeover process is done with, Newcastle could soon be competing for the Premier League title.
