Newcastle owners PIF expected to strike deal soon – Keith Wyness
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed he is expecting “movement” from Newcastle owners PIF in their bid to set up a worldwide multi-club network.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – tempered expectations by insisting the Saudi Public Investment Fund are “very clever and won’t rush into anything”.
PIF purchased Newcastle in 2021 and also own four clubs in the Saudi Pro League.
Football Insider revealed in June that top-ranking chiefs have jetted out to Brazil to sound out potential takeover opportunities – while it is believed PIF are also eager to acquire additional European clubs to bolster their network.
Recent reports have suggested Saudi officials have held talks over deals for French club Red Star and Belgian outfit Standard Liege.
Newcastle set to benefit from multi-club network – Wyness expects ‘movement’
Wyness insisted there are still “a lot of questions to be answered” about the structure of any potential network.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “I remember quite clearly when PIF took over at Newcastle, they had looked at buying all of 777 Partners’ clubs.
“This was way before 777 were in any kind of trouble.
“PIF’s thought was – why start building a multi-club organisation when we could buy one? That didn’t happen eventually.
“But while Newcastle could benefit in a multi-club organisation, there are so many factors which will have to be considered.
“With PIF owning 75% of the top four clubs in Saudi, how would you start to work those clubs into a multi-club network? Which clubs would benefit?
“I’ve always believed that there should be a multi-club network out of Newcastle, and I think there will be some movement.
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