- Newcastle United forward gathering Saudi interest
- UEFA issued warning to Magpies over deals to Middle East
- Loophole could be key
Reports suggest that Newcastle United forward Yoane Wissa may be cutting his stay on Tyneside short amid interest from the Saudi Pro League; however, issues could trip the club up when it comes to selling players to the Middle East.
With the Magpies being owned by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), there are concerns around directly selling players to Saudi Arabia. Earlier this month, UEFA issued a severe warning to the Black and Whites that if players are sold to a Saudi Pro League team, they could face punishment.
The official wording from the football governing body, reported by Newcastle World, is that clubs are not allowed to sell players to “associated party clubs”, which could block the 29-year-old’s proposed move to PIF-owned outfits. Any bid would therefore need to come from elsewhere.
Newcastle United must heed UEFA warning
With the club’s current league position, it looks increasingly likely they will fail to qualify for European competition this season, unless there is a drastic change in the final weeks and results go their way.
The Saudi Pro League has become a destination for many players from South America and Europe since the beginning of the decade, and in turn it has helped clubs sell less in-demand first team stars.
The St James’ Park outfit have only sold one player to the league, with French winger Allan Saint-Maximin departing in 2023 for £21 million.
There is frustration among supporters seeing fellow Premier League sides take advantage of the vast wealth in the league, allowing them to sell players for far more lucrative fees than would typically be possible in Europe.
Magpies could use ‘loophole’ for Yoane Wissa sale
It may not be an ideal solution, but there is a way around UEFA’s ruling: if Newcastle do not make a profit on the deal.
His underwhelming performances on Tyneside would likely make that scenario possible, after he was signed for £50 million last summer from Brentford. Reports now suggest the club would be looking to recover around £35 million for the forward and could then record that to balance the books.
Speaking to The Gazette, chief financial officer, Simon Capper spoke about this and the impact it has on Newcastle. He said: “It doesn’t stop us doing business. What it means is if we make a profit, it doesn’t count.
“(Other clubs doing business with Saudi clubs) is some frustration for us. Our competitors can sell a player to a Saudi club for massive profit and bank that for their various compliance calculations.”
Wissa already looks to be one step out of the door, but with Saudi looming in the background, a few intense months look set to follow.
In other news, Don’t do it, gaffer: Eddie Howe faces big Newcastle United selection call vs Brighton.
