Premier League respond as complaints made over imminent £26m Newcastle United transfer

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has responded to concerns regarding Allan Saint-Maximin’s imminent move to Al Ahli.

At the weekend, The Athletic claimed that a number of English top-flight clubs have approached the Premier League over the reported £26million move.

Al Ahil are one of four Saudi Pro League teams 75 per-cent owned by the Public Investment Fund which became Newcastle United’s majority owners in October 2021.

Premier League regulations dictate that all transactions above £1m are checked to make sure they do not exceed “market value”.

It’s claimed several teams believe the PIF connection is being used to inflate Saint-Maximin’s price tag in order to help Newcastle navigate Financial Fair Play rules.

That theory was put forward to Masters, who was at the Magpies’ 3-3 draw against Aston Villa at the Premier League Summer Series on Sunday.

“That (Saint-Maximin sale) hasn’t happened yet — so it’s hypothetical,” said Masters. “What I can tell you is we have very strong and clear transaction rules which dictate that anything that is inter-company is expressed at fair market value.

“So very clear rules are in place — whether it be sponsorship or a player transfer. These are new rules that were brought in in 2021 and we believe they are doing their job.”

Saint-Maximin is poised to complete the transfer in the coming days after undergoing the first part of his medical. United head coach Eddie Howe insists it is all “above “broad”.

Howe added: “We are governed by the same rules that every other Premier League club is - we will, I’m sure, fit every criteria needed to make sure the deal is above board.

“It will be no different to any other club selling a player that they have. We have a value on his head and that value was met. I’m sure it will satisfy the Premier League rules, whoever looks at that deal.”

The Premier League approved the PIF-led takeover after it received “legally binding assurances” the Saudi state would not control the club.

PIF owns 80 per-cent of Newcastle with PCP Partners and RB Sports and Media each holding a 10 per-cent stake.