
Kieran Maguire: Newcastle will be over the moon after £2bn news from Saudi
Newcastle United will be delighted that Saudi Media Group have failed in their attempts to buy Chelsea.
So says finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the possibility of another Saudi presence in the Premier League.
The Magpies were bought by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund for £305million in October last year.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has been forced into a quick-fire sale after being sanctioned by the UK Government for links to Vladimir Putin.
Per Sky Sports yesterday (25 March), Saudi Media Group made a £2billion bid but were not included in the final shortlist of potential new owners.
Maguire argues that Newcastle will be relieved that they are not coming up against another Saudi competitor in the top flight.
“I think they will be pleased if it doesn’t happen,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“I think Newcastle feel they have a fantastic relationship with PIF and don’t see any risk of dilution in the Premier League.
“However, at the same time, they might have felt that the ‘Saudi derby’ would perhaps take away from Newcastle’s achievements by themselves.
“Also if Chelsea are performing better, that hinders Newcastle’s attempts to create a collaborative fanbase and commercial partners in the Middle East.
“It wouldn’t have made Newcastle’s job impossible, but it would have made it more challenging.”

Newcastle are in action against Tottenham after the international break next Sunday (3 April).
They are currently 14th in the Premier League standings.
In other news, pundit tips Newcastle United to complete five new signings after £60m update.