Our Saudi-backed owners may be forced to shop on the continent this summer as fellow Premier League clubs are plan to form a pact against Newcastle United, according to the Daily Mail.
The report claims that a host of Premier League rivals have ‘pledged’ not to trade with the new owners on Tyneside, meaning we could struggle to sign any proven players ready to help us avoid relegation.
A number of players in the top flight have been strongly linked with moves to Tyneside, including Burnley’s James Tarkowski and Man Utd’s Jesse Lingard, however it seems we may be forced to shop elsewhere.
It seems a cunning, never-before-seen plan to help relegate a specific team could be pieced together in the aftermath of our £300million Saudi-backed takeover, which clearly infuriated rival clubs.
Last week 18 of the 19 other top flight sides passed a rule to block us from striking a commercial deal with any company that has links to the Saudi state.
Ironically, Brighton’s home clash with Man City on Saturday night featured pitch-side advertising for, you guessed it… the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
If this report is to be believed, it seems we may have to dip into the European market to have the best possible chance of maintaining our Premier League status.
Maybe it’s time to revisit the shelved anti-competition case?
What a load of tosh. There is a reason there are Anti-Competative Laws.
colin(Quote)
Bring it on! Maybe its time to bring some former toons back.. Mikel Moreno, Kevin Mbabu or Florian Thauvin.
We can also sign some English youngsters outside of England.
ToonLad(Quote)
It would be against competition laws if other clubs acted as a cartel in restraint of trade. If relegated, the owners would have a suit that the Premier League could not afford.
However, there is a simple retaliation. Sign up all decent British free agents at double the wage offered by anyone else, then loan them out all over Europe. The quality of “home grown” players to fill the quota will be severely diminished.
RexN(Quote)
“….fellow Premier League clubs are plan to form a pact ”
Should have finished those last 5 years of school there Charlie!
BykerBill(Quote)
So how do you differentiate between a club acting as part of a cartel, and a club just saying “no thanks – we’re keeping him”?
Plus, not sure how you think signing free agents does anything. They are free for a reason – nobody wants them.
Anyway, didn’t Chelsea try something similar and get slapped down for it?
BykerBill(Quote)
I think it would be short sighted of clubs to take this approach as many of their sponsors and investment comes from the Saudi State. It is clear that the PL clubs are extremely worried about the buying power the club may have. I believe the ban on sponsorship is currently unlawful and the hypocrisy is unbelievable. No one batted an eyelid when Mike Ashley splattered Sports Direct everywhere but now the club can make money from sponsorship it is suddenly an issue? The human rights issue is not good however it is being used as a vehicle for other agendas by many most of which being an effort to stifle the club’s progression. A thorough investigation into the PL and its clubs is required. It’s a shame the CAT tribunal didn’t go ahead.
Andy(Quote)
As a Blades fan this is heartbreaking. Yes I’m gutted Newcastle have that financial backing but at the same time I am happy for them and I didn’t batter an eye lid when Manchester United got hundreds of millions in sponsorship deals this able to buy £100M players or Man City got took over by the Sheikh (actually happy city stood for Newcastle) nor did I batter an eyelid when Chelsea got Roman nor did anybody else who why now is everyone against Newcastle? Oh aye cos they’ve got a huge stadium, one of the best sets of fans in the entire world as well as now financial backing they’ve craved for years but Mike Ashley was a greedy so and so which prevented them developing into a big team.. As a football fan and a fan of a team who is owned by a Saudi Prince.. I give my blessing and I sincerely hope Newcastle get what they richly deserve and that is a world class manager, world class players and above all else the end of Manchester United as the biggest cry babies in the entire division. We can’t win naff all cos owners are this and that yet those same said owners have invested BILLIONS into the playing squad.. Absolutely laughable and I’ll leave this right here.. 5-0 ?
Belly The Blade(Quote)
All the best lads.. UP THE TOON ARMY ?
Belly The Blade(Quote)
Do the teams really think that would matter it would make the owners more determined to spend more big money outside of the UK bringing more big names they would lose out in the end Bring it on and if a player is at the end of his contract and wants to come to Newcastle you can’t be stopped they’re all running scared now like they were when Man City took over
Ian(Quote)
No chance of happening whatsoever. They don’t mind us spending as long as it’s within our budget. Yes, they will want more as all rich clubs have to pay extra. But they will not stop us from signing players. Do you think agents would allow their clients to suffer the consequences of a couple of clubs?
Craig(Quote)
Well if i was a player being told i’m not allowed to sign for us, i would see out my contract and go for nowt to whom ever I wanted to . Two can play that game.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Absolute childish behaviour from jealous clubs, we’ll see how this pans out . #moneytalks….
Miçk(Quote)
Newcastle could place inflated bids forcing other teams to have to match the price to avoid accusations.
Paul Quigley(Quote)
2 words,…BOLLOX and JEALOUSY
Sandy Paul(Quote)