Much has been made of Newcastle United and their tag as the richest club in world football after the Saudi Arabian PIF takeover was given the green light. However, the Magpies are yet to truly flex their financial muscles given the constraints of Financial Fair Play.
The Toon have had to be clever with their investment and it'll likely be a few years until we see the true might of the Magpies, but they're wasting no time in looking for innovative ways to strengthen the club both in the short and long-term. Manchester City have long been touted as the blueprint for Newcastle to follow, but FFP regulations mean an exact repeat would be near impossible.
Nonetheless, PIF and the Magpies' owners have not hidden their desire to replicate City in terms of a multi-club model, but it's Dan Ashworth's former club, Brighton, that boasts an innovative way to compete at the top end of the division. The Gulls' owner Tony Bloom, also owns Belgian side Union SG, where he's guided them back to the Belgian top tier, won the Pro League title in their first season back making history in doing so, then taking them to a Europa League quarter-final this season.
READ MORE: Dan Ashworth's Brighton trump card Newcastle United could soon repeat with KV Oostende
Brighton have been dubbed one of the best run Premier League sides of late and Ashworth could well shine a light on the Gulls' endeavours in Belgium. Which will come in handy given Newcastle's owners have been linked with a £10.6million takeover at Belgian Pro League side KV Oostende, but they'd face a major rebuild given De Kustboys' recent relegation.
Wolves' owners are also said to be keen on a takeover at the Belgian club, but the Magpies are said to be in 'advanced talks'. Amanda Staveley has reiterated the Magpies are waiting for the right club, before engaging in any multi-club model talks, but they've already been told by Ostend mayor, Bart Tommelein, that a takeover would 'be welcomed'.
"Oostende fans are still digesting their relegation," The Belgian Football Podcast told Chronicle Live. "The club needs new owners, whoever that may be, to invest and rebuild for the future. The fans clearly want their current owners, Pacific Media Group PMG, out of the club.
"However, KV Oostende fans are likely to be sceptical of any new owners until they prove themselves after a poor relationship with PMG. There are at least two other interested parties at the moment, alongside the Saudi group.
"PMG have been looking to sell Oostende for some time. The club have a lot of debts, but for a small price the club can be bought, with the potential for far bigger financial gain with restructuring."
A fanbase that's become disenchanted with their owner and a desire to reconnect with their club. Sounds familiar, right? Newcastle's current owners have done an incredible job of repairing a fractured fanbase, albeit with results on the pitch drastically helping.
The Magpies owners have had to drastically rebuild behind the scenes at St. James' Park and would likely have to repeat the feat in North Belgium, albeit on a much smaller scale. KV Oostende average around 3,700 people in their ground on a matchday, with a population of 71,557 as of early 2022.
There may not be much scale for PIF in terms of financial revenue like there is at Newcastle, but the Belgian club might well just open up a goldmine, that Premier League rivals Brighton are well acquainted with. The Gulls signed Deniz Undav from Union SG, while breakthrough star of their season, Kaoru Mitoma, spent last season on loan at the Belgian side as they won the league and qualified for the Champions League.
"Belgium clubs allow bigger multi-club networks to bring players to Europe for both development and resale," added the Belgian Football Podcast when discussing Brighton's recent success story. "However, it would be difficult to emulate that model, as they have a unique relationship and a very good business model/operation. Saudi PIFs specific interest in Oostende is unclear, so that will make fans suspicious."
Newcastle's owners are well aware of the financial risks involved with taking over a struggling side, you need only flashback to last season where the Toon flirted with relegation. Having come through that patch, the Magpies could be on the very of bolstering their recruitment drive in the coming seasons.
"It would be a testing ground for talent from countries where it would be difficult to get a work permit or visa in the short-term," the Belgian Football Podcast continued. "Oostende fans would want owners who care about the city and understand their mentality and character. They would have to work hard to build a positive relationship with the fanbase."
