PREMIER LEAGUE clubs are set to vote on a huge rule change ahead of the January transfer window.
And should it go through, the laws would be a big blow for Newcastle.
Premier League clubs are prepared to vote on a proposal to ban loans between associated clubs with the same owners.
The report claims the 20 top-flight sides may fast-track the new temporary legislation at the next shareholders meeting on November 21.
A minimum of 14 votes are required from the 20 clubs – a two-thirds majority – in order to pass the new rule through immediately.
That would be enough to cover the January window before a long-term solution is found in time for the summer.
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The idea is that the Premier League want to protect the integrity of the competition.
The suggested rule is not explicitly being put forward to stop Ruben Neves from joining Newcastle on loan – although that would be a deal in jeopardy.
Both the Toon and Al-Hilal are majority-owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
As things stand, there is nothing preventing a club signing a player and then loaning or even selling the same individual to one of their other teams when the transfer market reopens.
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And that means Al-Hilal, who signed Neves from Wolves for £47million in the summer, could strike a deal with Newcastle to allow the Portuguese midfielder to move to St James’ Park in 2024.
The Magpies are on the hunt for a midfielder after flagship summer transfer Sandro Tonali was banned for ten months for betting offences.
Premier League bosses have been privately lobbied by some club chiefs after the potential of Newcastle landing the Portuguese star on loan was reported by SunSport last month.
League chiefs will point to the adoption of the demand for “fair market value” in all related party transactions – including permanent transfers and sponsorship deals – as the blueprint.
It is felt that the current exclusion of similar measures for loans is an anomaly that should be removed.
The Premier League outlines related parties as having “material influence over the club or (being) an entity in the same group of companies as the club”.
It adds that their discretion is based on the “substance of the relationship and not merely the legal form”.
Newcastle and four Saudi clubs including Al-Hilal would meet that criteria.
Manchester City would, too, with the other clubs in the City Football Group, including surprise LaLiga leaders Girona, Palermo and New York City.
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Brighton are linked with Belgian side Union Saint Gilloise while Chelsea and Strasbourg have the same owners.
So that could lead to a possible backlash from some clubs – although the 14-vote threshold is expected to be met.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
