The change in ownership of Newcastle United from Mike Ashley’s disappointing 14-year tenure to the Saudi Arabian led PIF (Public Investment Fund) marks a new era in football, with the Magpies officially becoming the richest team in the world – ahead of financial giants Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.
This is undoubtedly going to affect clubs in the European market as the English club begin planning for high-profile transfers over the upcoming transfer windows.
Juventus are one of those teams, according to Tuttosport (via Tuttomercatoweb). With the €250m reportedly available for spending in the first year, Newcastle have two Bianconeri targets in sight – Federico Chiesa and Matthijs De Ligt.
Former Fiorentina man and EURO 2020 winner Chiesa has been in the spotlight in recent months for a move away from Turin and remains a key player for the club.
Nevertheless, he would arrive in England for nothing less than €70-80m and Juventus are bound to ask for more in order to push away any links regarding his move. With his contract expiring at the end of the current season, Chiesa is in contention for a potential transfer.
Dutchman De Ligt on the other hand, would arrive for around a similar rate. The highly-rated centre-back is expected to lead the Bianconeri defence in the coming years as Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini near the climax of their respective careers.
Above that, the report mentions of his agent – Mino Raiola’s presence as a big hurdle to overcome by the Newcastle management.
It remains to be seen how this story pans out.