I reckon PSR has put tbe Saudis off. They thought they would be able buy their way around the rules and when it hadn't worked they have instead invested in Golf by staring their own league or whatever its called in golf and started to invest in their own league, over their no one can question why 'arse end of no where fc' with a average crowd of 45 and tv deal to speak of can afford to sign a play for tens of millions and give them hundreds of grands a week!
I don't even think its PSR thats put them off, the mags where a means to an end imo. Saudi needed a way into the premier league and could see the mag fans would welcome them with open arms, unlike every other club. That got them a foothold at the top table and the end game was always the world cup and influence in uefa and fifa. If they were truly interested in them, the stadium and training ground would be well underway already and the Saudi sponsorship would be flying in like at Man City. People go on about Man City's owners but they have developed the area as well as the club, what have pif done apart from put prices up?
We all know how corrupt the PL is but this is on a totally different level. There's absolutely no dispute that NUFC is owned by Saudi, a totally corrupt country. The likes of Sky will go along with it all because of the money involved. But they've totally underestimated the relentless determination of football fans to ridicule anything they choose, in this case the State, the PL and the club. Millions of ordinary little people, laughing at Newcastle, has probably enraged the Saudis who'd normally be able to stamp it out as they do in their horrible totalitarian State ... ... and those Mags who protested at Mike Ashley paying factory workers factory wages, 'courageous' NUFCLGBTQ campaigners who swallowed the takeover whole and MPs who suddenly stopped asking questions in the House have been made to look like total indefensible hypocrites. It's absolutely hilarious to see them 'lashing out'', if you'll pardon the pun please log in to view this image
Completely agree....more of the mockery of the whole situation is Saudi state deny any involvement with PIF & confirm involvement when it suits.....im quite sure the Premier League & our government who waved the takeover through knew this.....no publication of the garrentees have ever been seen & it has since been swept under the carpet following the admittance of involvement in PIF.....i wonder how many palms of hands were greased This & so many other takeovers/decision making is exactly why football needs an independent regulator.....the concern is how independent & transparent will things be??
@FabrizioRomano please log in to view this image Bayern’s Uli Hoeneß on Woltemade joining Newcastle: “Woltemade isn't worth the €90m fee”. “That only happened because of the money flowing from Saudi Arabia”, told Sport1 Dopa. Oops
They've had a really bad window in terms of value. Massively overpaid on both Woltemade and Wissa, and completely ****ed up the Isak situation (I'm absolutely certain they could have ended up with Ekitike + more money in the bank + a strong relationship with Liverpool if they hadn't acted like absolute tits throughout). Elanga was a good signing and I thought they might really kick on at the start of the window, but it was all downhill from there.
Do I think the Arabs will take on the most Jewish club in the country ... ... aye, after this pantomime I'll believe anything.
The way they're cutting back on the "NEOM" project should be a worry for the scum, no way are they building anything in Newcastle when they're pulling the plug on various building works in their own country
Often see the red and white tractor sitting on his garden bench with his wife as I go past on the bus. Legend.
I think that’s possibly the most depressing and symbolic of just how ****e everything was signing in the entire history of SAFC. Bad enough the first time.
"Sunderland’s ambition was impressed upon Xhaka, and subsequently impressed him enough to get the deal done over an approach from AC Milan and offers from Saudi Arabia.... The culture created by Louis-Dreyfus – of taking risks, smart recruitment, leaning into data and “complete alignment” from senior staff who have his trust to deliver the vision – has been in place for a while. They were able to “go for it” because of a player trading model that will remain central to what they do in the next few years. Externally Sunderland is now seen as a place where young players “get everything they need to help their career”. Indeed The i Paper understands that Sunderland retain enough PSR headroom to go again in January if required – and there is the potential for further signings if needed. But Plan A is that this team continues to adapt to the rigours of the Premier League."
