Eddie Howe has defended Newcastle’s second trip to Saudi Arabia and insisted the club’s owners are “outstanding”.
The Tyneside club will spend a week in the Gulf state in December visiting capital city Riyadh for training and a friendly against Saudi Pro-League champions Al-Hilal.
The Saudis are keen to showcase their football facilities as they are in pole position to host the 2030 World Cup with Greece and Egypt. Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman, chairman of Toon ownership company the PIF, is reported to have signed off their nomination form this week. Newcastle are also seeking new Saudi sponsors. Chief exec Darren Eales has confirmed multi-billion dollar businesses controlled by the Saudi Public Investment Fund are potential future sponsors in a bid to hike their commercial income and transfer spending power.
