Newcastle boss Eddie Howe refuses to rule out loaning players from PIF-owned clubs in Saudi Arabia

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has refused to rule making loan moves for players in Saudi Arabia. 

The Magpies, similar to four teams in the Saudi Pro League, are majority owned by the country’s Private Investment Fund. 

Howe says Newcastle are open to trading with clubs in the Middle Eastern country as long as it acts in the interest of the club.  

He said: ‘That depends on if it is the right thing for Newcastle. We’ll always act with our best interests first.’

The ambition and financial might of the Saudi clubs is clear as they continue to target top European stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, who have joined Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad respectively. 

 Eddie Howe has refused to rule making loan moves for players from Saudi Arabia 

Karim Benzema is one of the biggest names to move to the Saudi Pro League this summer

‘I don’t think the fees have been excessive necessarily — maybe the wages have, which is making it attractive to players,’ Howe said on Saudi’s push to sign big names this summer. 

Newcastle have spent £52million on Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali and are exploring deals for Leicester winger Harvey Barnes and Southampton defender Tino Livramento. 

But Howe says that ‘nothing is close’ as he revealed the extent of the challenges the club face given the limitations of Financial Fair Play.

He said: ‘Depth [of squad] is huge for us this year. With the competitions that we’re in, having three games a week, we need to be able to rotate the team, but to be able to bring in players who are of equal standard.

‘That’s what we’re looking to do, but we know we have a lot of work to do that. Players are expensive these days. We’re working within FFP guidelines, which is very difficult for us. We might need to be creative, but we’re trying to look at every avenue we can to make the club stronger.

The Magpies have have spent £52m on Sandro Tonali and remain in market for new signings 

‘We have a very strict budget that we’re trying to work within. Always with FFP, there are certain things you can be creative on, but we don’t have a huge budget to work with.

‘At times there have been frustrations and difficult days. We know the challenges that we face. Through the summer I’ve been through all the emotions.’

Newcastle opened their preparations for the new season with a hard-fought 3-2 win over non-league side Gateshead on Saturday. 

They will return to action against Rangers on Tuesday before their tour of the United States gets underway.