Cristiano Ronaldo cited as Newcastle hit by new Saudi transfer plan - expert

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has insisted Newcastle United will no longer be able to benefit from their Saudi links by shipping off older, unwanted players to the Middle East.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – claimed Saudi officials don’t want their Pro League to be a “dumping ground” for older players long-term, despite previous deals for the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) launched their first foray into football with a takeover of Newcastle in 2021 which has propelled the club into European contention in the Premier League.

PIF have since transformed the country’s Pro League into a footballing heavyweight, bringing the likes of Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and more to the Middle East.

Four Pro League clubs are state-owned and plans have recently been unveiled for private investment in 14 more Saudi outfits.

Allan Saint-Maximin is the only player to move from Newcastle to Saudi Arabia since the big-money push from league officials.

Newcastle to see Saudi transfers blocked, says Wyness

Wyness has insisted the Pro League will be reluctant to become a “dumping ground” by taking more unwanted stars from St James’ Park.

He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “Saudi have come out very strongly in the past months to say they won’t be a dumping ground for older players.

“They’re going for much younger talent now.

“I don’t think it will be that easy for clubs like Newcastle to realise very good transfer fees for players at the end of their contracts, players they no longer want.

“It isn’t going to happen in Saudi, because they want to get the age group of the league down – and quite right.

“While I think there may well be some big transfers yet to happen in Saudi this summer, we’re not going to see the old superstars – like Ronaldo – going down to play.

“He’s done his job for the Saudi Pro League, but it won’t be a movement and a dumping ground.”

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