(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)
Finance

PIF expected to ‘put their hand in their pocket’ to finance £200m Newcastle plan

James Murray
James Murray

James holds a degree in Sports Journalism and Communications (MA) from the Real Madrid Graduate School. He has experience working for a number of local news outlets as well as the Sunday Mirror and Real Madrid TV. James is from Scunthorpe and has an affinity with Scunthorpe United, but is also a huge West Ham supporter and an expert on all things to do with the Hammers. He started working for Breaking Media in July 2023, initially writing on the Club Sites, where he specialised in West Ham content, before moving to Football Insider – where he is now an expert in football finance, speaking regularly with Stefan Borson and Keith Wyness to generate high-quality content in all things related to finance in the Premier League, Football League, and Scottish Premiership.

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Newcastle United’s owners have ambitious plans for the club over the coming years on Tyneside.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has invested regularly in Newcastle since securing its £305million takeover in October 2021. 

PIF has been considering plans to build a new training ground in recent years, providing Eddie Howe with better facilities to work with behind the scenes. 

The Daily Mail reported on 13 January Newcastle are set to announce plans for a world-class £200m training ground complex. 

He revealed the Tyneside club are ready to purchase a site in Woolsington, close to Newcastle Airport and five miles from St James’ Park. 

Why Newcastle's owners will finance training ground development

Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider he expects Newcastle’s owners will “put their hand in their pocket” to finance the new training ground development. 

It is understood the construction could take up to two years to be completed.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson said: “I assume that the owners will just put their hand in their pocket. 

“I can't imagine they're going to borrow for financing that. There's no real need to. From a PSR perspective, it's all off PSR, so I imagine they'll just put the money in and probably offset it with some kind of sponsorship deal from the new Saudi airline. 

Eddie Howe shouting for Newcastle
Eddie Howe will have a new training ground to work with at Newcastle United (Credit: Imago)

“The Newcastle Supporters Trust recently helped out with an advertising campaign for Saudia, which is one of the airlines that's advertising on the perimeter.” 

Newcastle could land major training ground sponsor

Newcastle are looking to boost their revenue to be able to compete financially with some of their Premier League rivals. 

While PIF has utilised its Saudi connections in commercial deals, the associated party transaction (APT) rules have largely prevented any major agreements from taking place. 

Newcastle previously struck sponsorship deals with PIF-owned Sela and Noon worth a combined £32.5m, but it is believed they could have potentially banked a higher fee with a relaxation of the APT rules. 

Newcastle
Newcastle's owners have agreed sponsorship deals with PIF-owned companies (Credit: Getty Images)

Howe’s side will be exploring potential options for a training ground sponsor once their plans are confirmed. 

Newcastle posted a club-record revenue in their latest published accounts for 2023-24 after their overall turnover surged from £250m to £320m, while their commercial income improved from £47m to £86m across the same period. 

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Newcastle United
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