PIF currently only own Newcastle United in the footballing world, but the Athletic’s George Caulkin thinks they will look to buy more clubs in the future.
That is what the Manchester City owners eventually did, with Sheikh Mansour now owning a huge portfolio of clubs from across the world. The City Group includes 11 clubs, including New York City in the MLS and La Liga side Girona.
Man City are currently the standard bearers in English football. They are the Premier League champions, having won back to back titles. And Pep Guardiola’s side are favourites to make it a hat-trick of league wins this season.
Off the pitch, they manage to recoup huge sums for players meaning their net spend is rather modest.
They are at a level that everyone is aspiring to reach, including Newcastle. The new Toon owners have ambitions of joining Man City at the top of English football, and have the financial muscle to do just that.
PIF have been sensible so far. They have spent big money on players, but the recruitment has been measured. Amanda Staveley and co haven’t splashed out on big names with huge reputations. They are following a blueprint and making sure they bring in the right players.
They have also brought in the right people behind the scenes, with Dan Ashworth and Darren Eales joining the club.
Newcastle are being geared up to eventually challenge Manchester City in the coming years, but will PIF copy their model of buying other clubs and creating a footballing portfolio?
Caulkin makes prediction about Newcastle owners
Speaking on the latest episode of Pod On The Tyne, the Athletic’s George Caulkin was asked whether or not he expects the Newcastle owners to buy more football clubs in the future.
“I would expect that to happen,” Caulkin said.
“I haven’t heard anything specific on that at the moment but a lot of clubs are doing that. It sort of makes sense if you take Man City as the obvious parallel. They’ve taken over and bought those other clubs – I’m not sure how much that benefits Man City for example, having that relationship with other clubs, I don’t know.
“But it seems like a natural thing to do.”
Copying Man City model and buying more clubs could help Newcastle
While it is a controversial model, it is something that could benefit Newcastle. It would help with sending players out on loan or securing work permits for young talents.
Take Garang Kuol, for example. He will be loaned out shortly after joining the Magpies as he will be unable to get a work permit. If PIF had other clubs, they could easily send him to one of them where he would be guaranteed to get the required experience.
Newcastle’s owners have been linked with buying other clubs, but at a different level to Man City. There has always been speculation that the Saudi Arabian group want to purchase Serie A giants Inter Milan. However, that is currently being denied.
For now, Staveley and co will just be focussed on getting things right at St James’ Park. The foundations for success are being laid, and buying other clubs is something that will surely be reserved for the future.
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