- Joined
- Jan 17, 2015
- Messages
- 3,852
- Reaction score
- 1,149
- Points
- 113
- Location
- Lincolnshire
- Supports
- Ipswich Town
Newcastle’s New Ownership Plans Squad Overhaul
The Saudi Public Investment Fund’s buyout of Newcastle United was not without controversy. There are many voices concerned about the Saudi state’s involvement in the club’s workings and affairs, even if the buyer guaranteed that it won’t control the club. One thing is for sure, though: the buyer has deep pockets, and won’t shy away from spending on the success of Newcastle United.
The first signs of this money influx are already starting to show. While it won’t have an impact on the club’s Premier League fixtures 2021, the club’s shopping list is already starting to take shape.
Aaron Ramsey
One of the reported targets for Newcastle is Welsh international Aaron Ramsey who currently plays as a midfielder with Serie A club Juventus. Ramsey started his career with Cardiff City as a schoolboy and remained with the club once he turned senior. For a couple of years, that is, because, in 2008, he was snatched by Premier League club Arsenal.
Ramsey rose to fame in his 2013-2014 season with the Gunners, when the absence of Mikel Arteta from the midfield allowed him to take on a deeper midfield role - where he thrived. The rest of his time with Arsenal was a tale of success - and ended in a transfer to the Serie A.
His transfer to Juve in 2019 turned him into the highest-earning British player on base salary - he was signed with £400,000 a week. But he worked hard for this big pile of money - he played in almost 50 league games so far, and last October, he played in his 50th Champions League match, an achievement reached by only two Welsh players before him.
According to the Daily Star, Ramsey will be the first marquee signing made by Newcastle’s new ownership - and Juve sporting director Federico Cherubini is eager to let him (or rather his hefty paycheck) go.
Anthony Martial
Another football star rumoured to be headed for Newcastle is Manchester United forward Anthony Martial. The 25-year-old Frenchman made his senior debut with Lyon in 2012 - but his stay there was short. He left for Monaco just a year into his professional career, but he didn’t stay there long either - in 2015, he signed his first four-year contract with Manchester United. Here, he turned out to be a reliable goalscorer and an overall positive addition to the club, helping the team win the EFL Cup and the FA Community Shield, the Europa League in 2017, and earning a Manchester United Player of the Year in the 2019-2020 season.
Internationally, he helped France win the UEFA Nations League in the 2020-2021 season.
Martial is seen as a decent addition to Newcastle’s lineup, and one that will cost the club a great deal: he is unlikely to leave Manchester for anything below his current £180,000 a week, and he will likely also come with a hefty transfer fee.
Last edited: