Sale official
After 14 years, the Mike Ashley era at Newcastle United is over. The Magpies now have a new owner. On Thursday, the Premier League confirmed that the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) have passed the so-called fit and proper test. Newcastle then confirmed the 100% takeover of the club by PIF, PCP Capital Partners, and RB Sports & Media.
“The Investment Group is comprised of long-term, patient investors who have every confidence in the future success of the club,” a statement published on Newcastle United’s homepage read. “Today’s announcement is the conclusion of a thorough and detailed process that has allowed the Investment Group to arrive at a deal that benefits all stakeholders and will leave Newcastle United well-placed to pursue a clear, long-term strategy.”
Worried about Saudi control: Consortium has to be seen as “separate” from the state
A prerequisite to the Premier League agreeing to the deal was that the club, whose takeover is being supported by the majority of the fans, will not fall under Saudi Arabian state control. The public investment fund of the state, however, holds 80% of the consortium that now owns the club. Furthermore, Saudi crown prince Mohammad bin Salman, who has been accused of violating human rights is the most influential person of the consortium. Nonetheless, the BBC reported that the fond has to be seen separate from the state, which cleared the path to pass the Premier League fit and proper test.
Saudi Arabia had previously found a solution in the ongoing conflict with the Qatari station BeIN Sports. BeIN Sports are the Premier League rights holder in the Middle East and accused the Saudi TV stations BeoutQ to have stolen rights to sporting events owned by the Qatari station. A study, that also involved the Bundesliga, FIFA, and UEFA backed the Qatari station. Saudi Arabia also prohibited BeIN Sports to be aired in the country. Whether the settlement of the conflict has cleared the path to the takeover is currently not clear.
Sancho €45m ahead of Ronaldo – The most valuable Premier League players
49 Cristiano Ronaldo – Man United – market value: 45M
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48 Jorginho – Chelsea – market value: €45M
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47 Wilfried Zaha – Crystal Palace – market value: €45M
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46 Harry Maguire – Man Utd – market value: €45M
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45 Mateo Kovacic – Chelsea – market value: €45M
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44 Aymeric Laporte – Man City – market value: €45M
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43 Caglar Söyüncü – Leicester – market value: €45M
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42 Diogo Jota – Liverpool – market value: €45M
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41 Tanguy Ndombélé – Spurs – new market value: €45M (-€5M)
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40 Dominic Calvert-Lewin – Everton – market value: €45M
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39 Reece James – Chelsea – new market value: €45M (+€5M)
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38 Ederson – Man City – market value: €50M
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37 James Maddison – Leicester – new market value: €50M (-€5M)
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36 Christian Pulisic – Chelsea – market value: €50M
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35 Ferran Torres – Man City – market value: €50M
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34 Mason Greenwood – Man United – market value: €50M
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33 N’Golo Kanté – Chelsea – market value: €55M
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32 Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool – market value: €55M
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31 João Cancelo – Man City – market value: €55M
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30 Timo Werner – Chelsea – new market value: €55M (-€10M)
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29 Youri Tielemans – Leicester – market value: €55M
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28 Richarlison – Everton – market value: €55M
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27 Alisson – Liverpool – market value: €60M
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26 Paul Pogba – Man United – market value: €60M
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25 Fabinho – Liverpool – market value: €60M
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24 Wilfred Ndidi – Leicester – market value: €60M
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23 Gabriel Jesus – Man City – market value: €60M
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22 Andrew Robertson – Liverpool – market value: €65M
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21 Bukayo Saka – Arsenal – market value: €65M
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20 Raphaël Varane – Man United – market value: €70M
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19 Bernardo Silva – Man City – market value: €70M
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18 Rodri – Man City – market value: €70M
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17 Declan Rice – West Ham – market value: €70M
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16 Kai Havertz – Chelsea – market value: €70M
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15 Rúben Dias – Man City – market value: €75M
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14 Trent Alexander-Arnold – Liverpool – market value: €75M
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13 Mason Mount – Chelsea – market value: €75M
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12 Phil Foden – Man City – market value: €80M
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11 Sadio Mané – Liverpool – market value: €85M
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10 Heung-min Son – Spurs – market value: €85M
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9 Marcus Rashford – Man United – market value: €85M
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8 Bruno Fernandes – Man United – market value: €90M
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7 Raheem Sterling – Man City – market value: €90M
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6 Jadon Sancho – Man United – new market value: €90M (-€10M)
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5 Kevin De Bruyne – Man City – market value: €100M
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4 Mohamed Salah – Liverpool – market value: €100M
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3 Romelu Lukaku – Chelsea – market value: €100M
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2 Jack Grealish – Man City – new market value: €100M (+€35M)
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1 Harry Kane – Spurs – market value: €120M
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