NEWCASTLE UNITED are ready to shake up the Premier League as a Saudi-led consortium closes in on a mega £300million takeover to replace Mike Ashley.
With a net worth of £320BILLION, the Saudia Arabia Public Investment Fund – headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman – is significantly more wealthy than any other ownership in England’s top flight.
Newcastle look set for a £300m takeover led by Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin SalmanCredit: PA:Press Association
And they are ready to spend £200m on transfers in a bid to make Newcastle one of the country’s top dogs again.
Here are the main backers of the other 19 teams in the Premier League…
Arsenal – Stan Kroenke
The American property tycoon has few fans in North London, with protesters dismayed that their club ‘feels like an investment vehicle’. Kroenke assumed majority control in 2011 and also owns the LA Rams NFL team.
Aston Villa – Nassef Sawiris
Sawiris hails from one of Egypt’s richest families and is the fourth-richest African in the world in his own right. His brother, Naguib, owns Koryolink, North Korea’s 3G mobile telecom company.
Arsenal chief Stan Kroenke also owns NFL side the LA Rams
Bournemouth – Maxim Demin
Much mystery surrounds the Russian, who assumed full ownership in 2013. Believed to own at least two other UK businesses, including a petrochemical company.
Brighton – Tony Bloom
Made his fortune through online gambling and gaming websites. Bloom finished fourth in the World Series of Poker in 2005 and has taken the club from League One since becoming chairman in 2009.
Burnley – Mike Garlick
The local lad became sole chairman in 2015 having made his money in a project management and consultancy company.
Roman Abramovich took charge of Chelsea in 2003
Chelsea – Roman Abramovich
Arriving in 2003, the Russian was the first foreign billionaire to pour his money into the Premier League. Close to president Vladimr Putin, Abramovich made his fortune in oil and gas in the 1990s.
Crystal Palace – Joshua Harris
While Palace fan Steve Parris is the face of the Eagles, American Joshua Harris owns an 18 per cent stake and is also the main shareholder in NHL team the New Jersey Devils and NBA side the Philadelphia 76ers.
Everton – Farhad Moshiri
The British-Iranian businessman has pumped hundreds of millions in since buying the club in 2016, but to little avail. Used to own part of Arsenal and has shares in numerous steel and energy companies in the UK and Russia.
Leicester – Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha
Top became Foxes chairman after his father tragically died in a helicopter crash outside the club’s stadium in 2018. The Thai family made their millions in duty free in their homeland.
Liverpool – John Henry
The American, who also owns the Boston Red Sox, bought the Reds in 2010. Has been forced into U-turns over ticket prices and more recently the furloughing of staff
Manchester City – Sheikh Mansour
The prime minister of the United Arab Emirates –a Saudi ally- has presided over four league titles in 12 years since taking over from disgraced Thai PM Thaskin Shinawatra. Questions over human rights abuses still dog the regime.
The Glazers used £660m of debt to finance the purchase of United
Manchester United – The Glazers
The American family used around £660m of debt to finance the purchase of United, making the club responsible for its repayment. In February, £11.4m was paid out to shareholders – with the vast majority to the owners.
Norwich – Delia Smith and Michael Wynn-Jones
The husband and wife pair have been majority shareholders since 1996. Smith made her name as a cookery writer and TV personality, as well as her infamous ‘let’s be having you!’ speech at half-time at Carrow Road.
Sheffield United – Prince Abdullah bin Musa’ed
The Saudi prince recently won a High Court battle with Kevin McCabe over the ownership of the Blades. Set up a papart manufacturing company in Saudi Arabia in 1989 and first got involved with United in 2013.
David Gold and David Sullivan were infamously dubbed ‘The Dildo Brothers’Credit: PA:Press Association
Southampton – Gao Jisheng
The Chinese real estate magnate faced a Prem investigation last year over whether he had transferred ownership to the country’s state. After less than three years, he is looking to sell.
Tottenham – Joe Lewis
The absentee owner has kept a low profile since buying out Alan Sugar in 2001. Owns over 200 companies, including energy companies, restaurants and luxury properties.
Watford –Gino Pozzo
Gino is the son of Italian businessman Giampaolo Pozzo, who made his money in making tools. The Pozzos took over in 2012 and also own Serie A side Udinese.
West Ham – David Sullivan & David Gold
Previously dubbed ‘the Dildo brothers’ after making their fortune in pornography, the pair owned Birmingham before taking control of the Hammers in 2010.
Wolves – Guo Guangchang
The Chinese investor has catapulted Wolves to Europe since arriving in the Black Country in 2016. To some, though, the club have an uneasy relationship with super-agent Jorge Mendes.
How Newcastle will line up with £200m transfer investment from billionaire new owners
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
