Long announced as imminent, the sale of OM to Saudi Arabia now seems very distant. The Gulf Kingdom is losing interest in European football.
In recent days, the English press has been focusing on the situation in Newcastle, where Saudi Arabia had promised titles in the Premier League and the Champions League, which seems very complicated to envisage at the moment. The investment ability of the Saudi owners is not called into question, but it is above all the desire to be involved in the success of the Magpies which is singled out. In an editorial for the Daily Mail, journalist Oliver Holt attempts to summarize the situation, he who claims to have had access to certain conversations on the WhatsApp network from senior leaders of the Gulf Kingdom. And the main lesson is that investing in European football is no longer a priority at all for Mohammed Ben Salmane, the head of the country, who has targeted other angles of attack to gain international influence.
Saudi Arabia bets on golf and boxing
« The Saudis have not lost their interest in Newcastle, but there is some data that is not reassuring. In the Saudi sports empire, money is now going to the LIV golf circuit project, and to investments in the world of boxing. In tennis, the tournaments followed by Saudi Arabia will reach the level of the Grand Slams as far as Prize money is concerned. And in football, Saudi Arabia is focused on developing its own championship, and the 2034 World Cup which they will organize. The goal is to improve the image and generate income to reduce its dependence on oil. From then on, Newcastle and European football fell into indifference », explained the journalist while Magpies supporters are disillusioned by seeing the beautiful promises fly into the air in recent weeks.
Even the project for a large new stadium, a brand new training center and the development of infrastructure to make it among the most modern in Europe is barely moving forward. A sign for many that Saudi Arabia’s golden era in European football is over. Information to take into account for those who still see this Gulf Kingdom as a country capable of changing the dimension of OM in the event of a takeover, even if interest in Marseille has absolutely never been confirmed at any level. of Saudi government.
