Premier League clubs are set to vote on a temporary ban that would prohibit teams from loaning players from clubs under the same ownership during the January transfer window. If approved, this measure would impact Newcastle United’s potential signings, particularly players from clubs owned by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF). The move is prompted by speculation that Newcastle is eyeing a January transfer for Ruben Neves, the former Wolves captain currently playing for Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League.
The proposed rule, which will be voted on at a shareholders meeting on November 21, aims to prevent Newcastle from acquiring players from other clubs under the ownership of the PIF. Notably, this initiative would not affect outgoing loans from Premier League clubs and is specifically targeted at incoming transfers during the January window. The focus is on mitigating potential conflicts of interest arising from shared ownership among clubs in the league.
Newcastle’s potential move for Ruben Neves and midfield concerns
One of the players in the spotlight amid these discussions is Ruben Neves, who joined Al-Hilal for £47 million in June. Newcastle’s interest in the 26-year-old midfielder is seen as a response to the absence of Sandro Tonali, currently serving a 10-month ban for breaching betting rules. A successful move for Neves would help fill the void in Newcastle’s midfield and strengthen their squad for the remainder of the season.
The proposed temporary ban on intra-ownership player loans could impact Newcastle’s plans for a January move, especially considering the club’s connections to the Saudi PIF. The potential restriction adds a layer of complexity to the upcoming transfer window, with clubs weighing the implications of the proposed rule on their strategic moves.
Temporary measure pending a permanent solution
The Premier League’s proposed ban on intra-ownership player loans is positioned as a temporary solution to address concerns surrounding conflicts of interest. The measure, which requires the approval of 14 out of the 20 Premier League clubs, is slated to be in effect only for the January transfer window. The intention is to buy time for clubs to collectively devise a more permanent and comprehensive solution, with the aim of implementing it in time for the summer transfer window. This marks a strategic move by the league to navigate the complexities of shared ownership and ensure fair play and transparency in player transfers among affiliated clubs.
