In Newcastle’s case it is kind of true though. Comparisons to FSG’s ownership of Liverpool are limited because PIF is so much of a bigger organization with a much more decentralized operation and the Newcastle operation is supposedly a completely different one to their domestic football operation. Complaints that spending on the Saudi league is taking away from supporting them are not valid, but it is true that the domestic initiative, which is now tied in with the World Cup, is far more important to them than the Newcastle project
Guilty by association is all it is, there was nothing negative being said about him before he ended up at Newcastle.
I find him to be a sound bloke, particularly with this whole Isak saga I feel kinda sorry for him because he’s clearly powerless to do anything and the club are even going out their way to keep him out the loop.
That’s exactly what I was about to say: if the whole drama ends well, and perhaps it was simply necessary to sign a really good replacement, then that would be a truly good ending. Assuming they give us Isak, of course.
Think Wissa has pretty consistently been touted as their choice for second striker. So they might be getting one of their preferred targets. Although when you have as many as them that doesn’t mean much.
I think the fact that we have not made any concrete moves for another forward probably reflects our confidence that signing Isak is only a matter of time.
They were willing to let him go in January if their price was met, and I think they may still have some financial pressures regarding FFP spending limits.
He has been pushing for a move as well which I presume means he’s still closer to “we found you in the championship and gave you your chance” wages than the “Kane’s heir apparent” wages he probably reasonably thinks he should be on