Kieran Maguire lambasts Newcastle United ‘snipers’ as £750m deal agreed
Critics will use any excuse to “snipe” at Newcastle United – and the latest controversy surrounding the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s links to Chelsea are no different.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the possibility of a conflict of interest between the two clubs.
It emerged in July that the PIF, who took over Newcastle last October, have provided finance for new Chelsea majority owners Clearlake Capital.
The Daily Mail reported on Monday (15 August) that both parties are now facing questions relating to a £750million property deal brokered by new Chelsea director Jonathan Goldstein on behalf of PIF.
Chelsea and Clearlake have stated that Saudi money was not used in May’s £2.5billion takeover from previous owner Roman Abramovich.
Newcastle directors and part-owners Mehrdad Ghodoussi and Amanda Staveley were guests in the executive box for Chelsea’s dramatic 2-2 with Tottenham last Sunday (14 August).
But Maguire insists that the correct procedures will have been followed in relation to the takeover and that any links between the two clubs are above board.
“I think when you have got two clubs who are competing for the same resource, it could be a challenge,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“But it certainly looks like Chelsea and the PIF have gone through the appropriate process and followed due diligence.
“They are aware of the extent of the scrutiny that anything to with Chelsea or Newcastle will be under.
“Some of these people are critics and others are looking for any excuse to take a snipe at the club.”
In other news, Newcastle United submitting £25m-plus Joao Pedro bid as two marquee signings lined up.