Newcastle owners ‘could dispose’ of club to purchase Manchester United
With the Glazers recently putting Manchester United up for sale, it has been suggested that the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) could sell Newcastle and take ownership of the Red Devils instead.
Saudi Arabia’s PIF took control of 80 percent of Newcastle last year, with the remaining 20 percent split between PCP Capital Partners – a private equity firm founded by Amanda Staveley – and RB Sports & Media.
Their investment has already had a tangible impact, with Newcastle now sitting third in the Premier League table. The owners are also aiming for the women’s team to be playing in the Women’s Super League by 2025.
Things may be going well at St James’ Park, but a recent report has suggested this could soon change.
Is Saudi Arabia’s PIF interested in purchasing Manchester United?
Simon Chadwick, professor of sport and geopolitical economy at SKEMA Business School, told The Athletic that he thought it was possible that Saudi Arabia’s PIF could target Manchester United.
It was announced last month that the Glazers are willing to listen to offers for the Red Devils, which is believed to be valued at £5 billion.
According to Chadwick, this might end up being too tantalising a prospect for the Saudi investors.
“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 said.
“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. 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.”
Could Saudi Arabia’s PIF really ‘dispose’ of Newcastle United?
After speaking to BBC Sport last month, Saudi Arabia Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal did little to quell rumours about a Manchester United takeover.
But he suggested a purchase could come from a private investor, as opposed to the country’s Public Investment Fund.
“From the [Saudi Arabia] private sector, I can’t speak on their behalf, but there is a lot of interest and appetite and there’s a lot of passion about football.
“It’s the most-watched league in Saudi Arabia and the region and you have a lot of fans of the Premier League.
“We will definitely support it if any [Saudi] private sector comes in, because we know that’s going to reflect positively on sports within the kingdom.
“If there’s an investor willing to do so and the numbers add up, why not?”
It sounds possible that Manchester United could soon have a Saudi owner, but it remains to be seen whether it will be PIF stepping in.
