Finance guru: Newcastle United poised to ‘exploit’ Middle East market amid ‘hostilities’ latest
Newcastle United will capitalise on the apparent cooling in tensions between Saudi Arabia and Qatar to establish themselves as the face of the Premier League in the Middle East.
That is the view of finance expert Doctor Dan Plumley, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the latest developments in the ongoing spat between the two Gulf State nations.
One of the reasons the Public Investment Fund’s takeover of Newcastle last October took so long to force through was because of the alleged mass piracy of BeIN Sports, a state-run Qatari broadcaster, in Saudi Arabia.
But per Sport Business on Wednesday (26 October), BeIN has signed an advertising agency deal with PIF-linked Saudi Media CO in a move which is viewed as an olive branch between the two parties.
That comes after The Athletic reported earlier this month (15 October) that PIF wanted to buy a significant stake in BeIN.
Plumley explained how the Magpies can use the latest developments to their advantage.
“On the face of it, it seems positive for Newcastle,” the Sheffield Hallam University expert told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“The relationship was a hold-up ahead of the takeover. The dispute in the background has not worked in Newcastle’s favour.
“So, I think if the hostilities are over, that has got to be a positive step.
“Then you’re looking at how Newcastle can capitalise further and exploit this.
“We know they are going to be the face of the Saudi market. Removing that barrier puts Newcastle in a position to capitalise on from an exposure and leverage point of view.
“So, yes, a positive thing in this context.”
In other news, pundit backs Newcastle United to sign three “proper stars” in January after source’s PIF reveal.