‘This is bizarre’ – Newcastle’s owners could inject money into Chelsea
Newcastle United’s owners could inject money into Chelsea as a “bizarre” situation has emerged.
Chelsea are on the lookout for a new front-of-shirt sponsorship deal after playing the majority of the 2024-25 season without an agreement in place.
The London giants’ new shirts, which were launched last month, didn’t feature a primary sponsor at the Club World Cup as they continue to try and agree a deal.
The Telegraph reported on 15 July Stamford Bridge chiefs are in talks with seven to 10 global companies over a long-term front-of-shirt sponsorship worth £60million a year.
Finance expert Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider it will be interesting to see whether any of the parties are linked to the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns a majority stake in Newcastle.
It comes after PIF effectivity funded the Club World Cup broadcasting deal that largely backed the £740million prize fund for the tournament.
Chelsea earned the largest share of that prize pool after beating PSG 3-0 in the final on 13 July.
Chelsea planted shirt sponsor leaks
Borson insisted Chelsea likely planted the latest media reports around their front-of-shirt situation.
He told Football Insider: “According to the Telegraph, there are still seven to 10 parties in the bidding.
“A process that’s still got seven to 10 parties bidding is not close to completion.
“I suspect that the article is placed by Chelsea to try and flush out a particularly keen bidder.
“It’ll be interesting to see whether any of the parties that are bidding are connected with PIF because it would just be a bizarre situation if PIF were on the one hand struggling to keep Isak at Newcastle and on the other hand putting funds into teams like Chelsea to compete with Newcastle next season.
“We will see. You can only appraise these deals when they’re done.”
Nicolas Jackson to Aston Villa update emerges
In terms of transfer activity, Football Insider revealed on 20 July Aston Villa are ready to reunite Unai Emery with Nicolas Jackson after the pair previously worked together at Villarreal.
Villa have held preliminary talks with Chelsea over Jackson as they look to bolster their attacking options this summer.
The 24-year-old registered 13 goals and six assists in 37 appearances last season.
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