Newcastle United's Premier League rivals Chelsea could be the next club to have owners from Saudi Arabia. And fans on Tyneside will be interested to see how smoothly the process for the Premier League owners and directors test goes through this time.
United's sale to a Saudi-backed consortium took over 18 months as Amanda Staveley, the Reuben brothers and the Public Investment Fund pushed through a £300million deal. Now the Saudi Media Group have reportedly placed a £2.7billion bid in for crisis club Chelsea. With Roman Abramovich hit by government sanctions and disqualified as a Premier League director, the Blues must be sold to save their future.
Chelsea are currently operating under a special licence and can't buy players, open their club shop or even sell a match day programme. CBS Sports now report that Saudi Media’s owner Mohamed Alkhereiji is a Chelsea fan and is leading the private consortium to buy the club.
Another cash-rich Saudi owner could spark fierce competition in the Premier League with Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley stating last week that the club are aiming for the top-flight title and Champions League on the current consortium's watch.
