Saudi Arabia could bail out Newcastle United’s Premier League rivals as PSR deadline nears

Add as preferred source on Google

Newcastle United are fairly comfortable when it comes to PSR this year.

It was a different story in 2024, with Newcastle United scrambling to comply and avoid a points deduction.

Newcastle sold Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson for big money, as PSR forced them to lose two incredibly bright talents.

There will be no such panic this year. Newcastle’s PSR position is much better, boosted by Miguel Almiron’s January departure to Atlanta United.

Aston Villa duo eyed by Saudi Arabian clubs

But while Newcastle are expected to comply with the Premier League’s financial rules, other clubs are in a more precarious position.

That could include Aston Villa, with Chelsea keen to sign Morgan Rogers and take advantage of their situation.

Now two more players could be on their way out of Villa Park as interest from the Middle East emerges.

According to the Telegraph, Emi Martinez and Leon Bailey are the subject of interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia.

Unnamed clubs are interested in the Villa duo, with the Telegraph adding that Unai Emery’s side need to sell players in order to ‘juggle financial rules’ and improve their squad.

Whether or not that needs to happen before June 30th remains to be seen, which is when the latest set of financial accounts must be submitted to the Premier League.

Newcastle United have sold one player to Saudi Arabia

While it is unknown which Saudi clubs are looking at Martinez and Bailey, it feels likely that at least one of the teams that PIF own will be interested.

Despite owning 80% of Newcastle United, PIF are a massive entity that have various other commitments. Not every decision they make is with the Magpies in mind, with various Premier League clubs receiving financial boosts from Saudi Arabia.

Aston Villa are no strangers to selling players to clubs in the Saudi Pro League. Moussa Diaby joined Al-Ittihad last summer, while Jhon Duran became an Al-Nassr player in January. Both clubs are 75% owned by PIF.

Since the Saudi investment fund bought Newcastle United, only one Toon player has swapped St James’ Park for the gulf state.

That was Allan Saint-Maximin, who left the Magpies to sign for Al-Ahli in 2023. That transfer drew criticism from Newcastle’s rivals, but the £23million deal did receive Premier League approval.

Throughout Newcastle’s PSR ordeal in 2024, there was no hint of Saudi clubs bailing them out despite the club’s dire situation.