Newcastle United announce 'exclusive' Saudi Arabia talk with £40m trio

Eddie Howe’s squad travel to the home of their PIF owners for the first time since December 2022 when they beat Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal 5-0 in the Diriyah Season Cup.

The Magpies will again be based in Riyadh but this time train at Al Awwal Park, the home of Al-Nassr, who are part-owned by PIF and boost big names stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and Aymeric Laporte.

United head into the international break having recorded three consecutive wins against Chelsea, Arsenal and Nottingham Forest. They will return from the Middle East early next week and continue their preparations for the visit of West Ham United on Monday, November 25.

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Howe said: “.We probably don’t want one [an international break] at this moment in time but it’s there. We’ve got an extended break as well because we play on the Monday so players will go away, we go to Saudi Arabia and come back.

“We will try and keep the feeling we have now because we know we’re in a good position and building our season but we have some key games to come. 

All players, excluding those on international duty, and staff will be included on the trip. There is no friendly match planned but supporters will have the opportunity to get close to the action.

A ‘Members Only’ digital Q&A with Dan Burn, Jacob Murphy and Will Osula will take place on Saturday from 11:15am to 12pm. In the hours prior to that, Howe’s squad are hosting an open training session for supporters in Riyadh.

Members must register their interest by 12pm Friday. Those successful will be notified via email along with an ‘exclusive’ link to join the Q&A.