Newcastle United will find it difficult to do transfer business with Saudi Pro League sides this summer under new toughened associated party rules.
Finance expert Stefan Borson told Football Insider that Newcastle might need to lower their asking prices by £5-£10 million to comply with new regulations. In February 2024, the Premier League implemented stricter associated party transaction (APT) rules, complicating sponsorship and transfer deals between top-flight clubs and their sister clubs or associated companies. Manchester City, the reigning champions, have legally challenged these new APT rules, calling them “unlawful.” Newcastle, who previously sold Allan Saint-Maximin to PiF-owned Al Ahli for about £23 million, may now find it more challenging to complete transfer deals with Saudi clubs, according to Borson.
Newcastle United Saudi deals impacted by APT rules
“Newcastle is interested in conducting business with Saudi entities, but the associated party transaction rules pose a challenge,” Borson told Football Insider. “The new regulations, introduced in February, apply to transfers as well. The rules Manchester City are contesting also impact transfer deals. An entire appendix has been added to the Premier League rules that wasn’t present in previous transfer windows. Miguel Almiron has been frequently mentioned, and there’s a threshold for selling players to Saudi Arabia without complications. However, trying to add an extra £5-10 million to the deal will result in restrictions imposed by the Premier League.”
