An investment group led by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) has completed the Acquisition of English Premier League side Newcastle United.

All requisite approvals have been obtained from the English Premier League and the takeover from St James Holding firms was completed on 7 October 2021.

Talking about the agreement, His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of the lead investment group said:

“We are extremely proud to become the new owners of Newcastle United, one of the most famous clubs in English football. We thank the Newcastle fans for their tremendously loyal support over the years and we are excited to work together with them.” He stated.

He also raised how ambitious they are just as the fans to create a successful team that will not just be another team in the league but rather compete for titles.

“Our ambition is aligned with the fans – to create a consistently successful team that’s regularly competing for major trophies and generates pride across the globe.” He added

The Premier league board also released a media statement to confirm the deal that is reportedly worth £300 million.

Some realistic options for Newcastle

As we fantasise about the possibilities at St James’ Park, there are some players that will be entering the last six months of their contract in January that could be available for a decent price.

The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Paul Pogba and Ansu Fati are likely beyond Newcastle‘s reach as they are not yet a Champions League club, but they might be able to entice some players from the next tier down.

Barcelona’s financial struggles have been much discussed and they would surely find it difficult to turn down a decent-sized bid for Ousmane Dembele. The idea of Dembele and Saint-Maximin on the wings for Newcastle is an exciting prospect and would no doubt get the supporters off their seats.

Staying with the French connection, Newcastle could sign one of the continent’s most promising holding midfielders in Boubacar Kamara from Marseille, who would certainly welcome a fee rather than watch the 21-year-old walk out the door for nothing.

Looking at the centre-back position, there is an English player with plenty of Premier League experience that is in the last year of his contract: Burnley’s James Tarkowski. He was linked with a move to West Ham last summer and could be a good option due to his knowledge of the English top flight.

Newcastle spent decent money on Joe Willock last summer, but given their new-found wealth, he might have to make to with a place on the substitutes’ bench. As such, that may allow the Magpies to go for two players that could line up just ahead of Kamara.

Sergi Roberto from Barcelona could be a good option for an improving Newcastle team, particularly due to his versatility, and if they could tempt Franck Kessie to leave AC Milan, that would be some coup. They are two options that might prove to be very beneficial.

The goalkeeper position could also be improved upon, with neither Martin Dubravka nor Karl Darlow holding down the No.1 shirt, and Newcastle might look to bring in Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana, whose doping ban will have come to an end by then.

And finally, a No.9. Callum Wilson is a good player, but his injury history means that Newcastle should try to find someone to compete with him up top. One player that is in the last 12 months of his deal and has Premier League experience is Arsenal’s Alexandre Lacazette, who could combine well with Saint-Maximin and Dembele in this hypothetical XI.