Premier League clubs are doing their best to stop Newcastle United signing Ruben Neves in January, which will hopefully mean Manchester United get the same level of scrutiny for what they are planning.
The Magpies are interested in signing Ruben Neves on loan, as they look to replace the suspended Sandro Tonali.
However, a move for Neves would be controversial given who Newcastle are owned by. PIF have an 80% stake in the club, while they are also the majority shareholders of Al Hilal, who Neves plays for.
That is why Premier League clubs are now planning to vote on a temporary ban over clubs loaning players to clubs with the same owner.
The premise of the rule is fine, but it is the timing that is off. Clubs have loaned players to affiliate sides for years, but it is suddenly a major scandal now that Newcastle could benefit from it.
It looks like it will make it very difficult for Newcastle to sign Neves in January, and the Toon owners will be paying close attention to goings on at Manchester United.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe set to complete partial Manchester United takeover
There is set to be a slight change of ownership at Old Trafford, which is not what the Man United faithful wanted. They wanted the Glazers completely gone, but are having to settle for a partial takeover of the club.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who also owns Ligue 1 club Nice, is set to buy 25% of Manchester United.
He will bring fresh investment to the Red Devils, who are reportedly interesting in signing Jean-Clair Todibo in January.
Man United want to sign Jean-Clair Todibo
That is according to Sun, who state that Man United would like to bring the Nice defender to Old Trafford when the January transfer window opens.
If that deal did happen, it would see a player go from one club owned by Ratcliffe to another owned by Ratfcliffe. Now that is a deal that should come under huge Premier League scrutiny, as it is the same situation that Newcastle find themselves in.
The only way Man United can fairly sign Todibo is if they pay fair market value. It is the same situation that Newcastle find themselves in regarding Neves, who seemingly will not be allowed to join on loan.
Man United can sign whoever they want, but Newcastle will hope that any move for Todibo from Nice gets the same level of Premier League scrutiny as their interest in Neves. It can’t be one rule for one and another for everyone else.
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