Eddie Howe has hinted Newcastle are ready for a fight with Premier League rivals over proposed new rules.
Club executives will vote on November 21 on changes designed to stop Newcastle loaning players from Saudi Arabian clubs who are also owned by the Public Investment Fund of Saudia Arabia.
A second change could restrict Newcastle’s ability to strike sponsorship deals with PIF owned companies unless other bids of the same value are tabled.
The Saudi state controlled PIF own Al-Hilal, who bought Toon loan target Ruben Neves from Wolves for £47m last summer. Neves is seen as a loan target in January to replace banned Sandro Tonali.
Top flight rivals fear Newcastle could use FOUR Saudi clubs as a back door way of getting players to Tyneside on the cheap. The PIF also own Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli with a roll call of stars including N’Golo Kante, Jota, Riyad Mahrez, Fabinho and Sadio Mane.
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Sponsorship deals with PIF or Saudi owned companies include shirt sponsors Sela, Saudia airlines and Noon.
Howe reacted to the potential Premier League restrictions on his club today. When asked if Newcastle would fight the changes he said: “You can make that assumption.”
In a series of exchanges with reporters over the impact and motivations behind the move, which seem designed to hamper Newcastle’s growth and the influence of the Saudi PIF, Howe said: “I will let you decide why those rules are coming in. That's not for me to comment on..
“We will work within the rules the Premier League set and we have to respect those rules, whatever they are. I have to be careful and draw a line on what I can talk about.
Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves has been linked with a loan move to Newcastle (Getty Images)"I'm not involved in that world, I'm involved in the football world. We want to compete on the pitch within the rules that are set for us. It’s difficult for me to give you chapter and verse because it’s not a situation I’m in any control over.
“I’m reacting to what is happening. It’s probably better that you draw conclusions to that, not me. I wouldn’t know the motives behind the rule changes coming in. It’s very difficult for me to give a definitive opinion, we just have to react to the changes as they come in.”
Newcastle chief Amanda Staveley will attend the Premier League shareholders meeting to argue Newcastle’s case.
Newcastle have 11 players injured and are in need of January reinforcements. Howe said, ahead of the trip to Bournemouth : “I back the players and the squad. In-game management is the problem as my options are restricted and that is the biggest thing.”
Sven Botman has returned from Holland after treatment on his knee, Jacob Murphy has had keyhole surgery on his shoulder and will be out for 9 weeks, and Alexander Isak is expected to be back after the international break.
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