PIF are now about to sign star midfielder Newcastle recently scouted

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Saudi Arabia continue to make big moves in the transfer market.

Newcastle United’s owners PIF took control of Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad as the Saudi Pro League continue to undertake an ambitious recruitment drive this summer.

Al-Ahli have already signed Allan Saint-Maximin from Newcastle and can pair him alongside the likes of Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino.

Now, they appear to be ready to move for another big name and one who has previously been on Newcastle’s radar.

Al Ahli set to sign Franck Kessie from Barcelona

Indeed, according to Fabrizio Romano, the Saudi club are set to sign Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie.

The Ivory Coast international is said to have agreed a three-year deal for a fee worth around £12.92m.

It was only earlier this year that the Daily Mail reported Newcastle scouts had recommended the 26-year-old.

Kessie starred for AC Milan and won Serie A alongside Sandro Tonali before making his move to the Camp Nou on a free transfer last summer.

Now, despite winning La Liga during his first year with Barca, Kessie looks set to become the latest in a long line of big-name players to move to Saudi Arabia.

PIF have different strategies for Newcastle and their Saudi clubs

While PIF have adopted a much more measured approach at Newcastle, they look happy to spend big to grow their domestic league.

That difference is interesting and presumably guided by the FFP rules in European football, something Newcastle are dealing with this summer.

With that in mind, it’s fascinating to see how big name players who have been on Newcastle’s radar suddenly have another avenue to go down.

No longer is the Premier League with most lucrative division in the world. Over time, the Saudi league will only grow as a rival should such investment continue.