Newcastle United owners ‘aggressive’ investment revealed following major sports move

It has been revealed just how much Newcastle United's owners spent on the Saudi Pro League during its summer splurge.

According to FIFA, Saudi clubs spent a whopping £701 million in a bid to bring in top class players from overseas during the last transfer window.

The spend was largely dictated by Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, Al Ahli and Al Nassr which came under the majority ownership of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) earlier this year.

PIF also owns Newcastle United however hopes of an investment of a similar scale will never be a reality for the Premier League club due to Financial Fair Play regulations.

Significantly Financial Fair Play does not exist in the Saudi Pro League allowing the investment fund to attract some of Europe's biggest footballing stars.

Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Al Nassr from Manchester United at the start of 2023. Then in the summer he was followed by the likes of Neymar, Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez, Ruben Neves and Sadio Mane.

Newcastle United sold fan favourite Allan Saint-Maximin to Al Ahli for £22 million.

But it's been said PIF will turn its attention to other things after an "aggressive" summer transfer window.

Michael Emenalo, the league's director of football who is also in charge of Saudi Arabia's Player Acquisition Centre for Excellence (PACE), said the winter transfer window could be different.

"I'm hoping (the January transfer window) is not very busy, because I think the job that was done has been quite interesting and aggressive, and most of the clubs, I believe, have what they need," said the former Chelsea technical director.

"And hopefully the attention will now turn to work within the training facilities to improve these players and to allow the time to adapt and perform."

And yet the world's biggest stars continue to be linked to the Middle East, with Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah being named increasingly.

Despite wanting to focus on other things, Emenalo admits the league will still continue to poach the world's best.

"Now, whatever additional improvement that we need to do for any club, with time on our hands and preparation, we believe will be additions of the highest level," he continued.

"We will continue to support and to see every opportunity we have to bring more talented individuals that want to come to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that is open for business."