Ally McCoist thinks Newcastle will be hated if they sign three megastars

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Newcastle United owners PIF are adding more football clubs to their growing portfolio.

The Toon consortium have spoke about wanting to buy more clubs and build a model similar to what Manchester City’s owners have got. There has been talk of buying Belgian club KV Oostende.

Now the group that owns 80% of Newcastle United have done a deal to purchase four teams in their native Saudi Arabia.

PIF take control of four Saudi Arabian teams

It was announced on Monday that PIF, the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, now control 75% of four clubs that compete in the Saudi Pro League. The clubs are Al Ahli, Al Ittihad, Al Nassr and Al Hilal.

Interestingly, Newcastle have played in friendlies against two of those clubs since they were bought by PIF. They played Al Ittihad in January 2022 and Al Hilal in December 2022.

With the investment from PIF, it is expected that major names will join the four clubs. Cristiano Ronaldo already plays for Al Nassr, while Karim Benzema has agreed to sign for Al Ittihad. There is also talk that Lionel Messi could be on his way to Saudi Arabia, with the 35-year-old leaving PSG this summer.

Given the fact Newcastle are also owned by PIF, there has been speculation that this announcement could open the door for the Magpies to sign some major names in world football.

However, TalkSPORT pundit Ally McCoist believes it would be a bad idea.

Ally McCoist does not think Newcaste should sign players like Benzema

McCoist has discussed the new PIF deal on TalkSPORT, and was asked whether Newcastle should now sign the likes of Ronaldo, Benzema and Messi on loan.

“A, I don’t think they will,” he said.

“And B, I don’t think it’s a good idea. My main reason for that is that all these guys are effectively – I won’t say running down their careers – but they’re at that stage of their career.

“Whereas I think Newcastle as a club are at the stage where they’re building rather than doing anything else. Plus the fact it would make everybody hate them.”

McCoist is right

While it would be staggering to see players like Messi, Ronaldo or Benzema playing for Newcastle United, there is simply no way it is going to happen.

They are obviously world class players who have done it all, but their profiles do not fit the current blueprint at St James’ Park.

As McCoist says, Newcastle are building. We have bought players who can grow and develop, rather than megastar names who would boost the profile of the club.

While PIF’s latest business might open the door for someone like Messi to play for the Magpies, it is extremely difficult to see that ever becoming a reality. How would he get in the team ahead of Jacob Murphy anyway?!