Newcastle could be denied massive signing by Premier League vote

Since the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia took over the “big four” Saudi Pro League clubs, there has been plenty of speculation on whether those players may eventually make their way to Newcastle United, which the PIF also owns. It would not necessarily be a new concept to multi-club football; look at RB Leipzig and RB Salzburg or Watford and Udinese. It would be the first time that players of such a high calibre make the loan move between two clubs, given the talent that moved to Saudi Arabia this summer.

One name linked to a January transfer to Newcastle United is former Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves, who now pays with PIF-owned Al Hilal. With Sandro Tonali banned for ten months for gambling-related offences, Newcastle now have a hole in their midfield. Expecting to compete in the Champions League and the Premier League, they need to address the situation.

Even if Newcastle were only exploring the idea at the moment, it looks as though they might as well no longer entertain the idea at all. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Premier League clubs are expected to vote on interim banning of loans between clubs with the same ownership, specifically players moving on loan to the Premier League side. This would prevent Ruben Neves from moving to Newcastle but would also theoretically prevent Chelsea from loaning in players from Strasbourg and Manchester City from loaning in players from a host of clubs.

The Athletic report also suggests they want the ban to move towards permanent transfers, eventually. Ornstein states that this vote is part of a broader discussion on associations between parties, specifically shirt sponsors being linked to the ownership of clubs and the shadiness that comes with all of that.

It’s hard to see a world where the vote does not get passed, although it would not be surprising if some clubs vote against it.