Eight Premier League clubs voted against a rule change that would have blocked Newcastle signing players on loan from the Saudi Pro League.
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Vote to block related-party loans defeatedEight clubs do Newcastle a favour12 voted in favour of the banWHAT HAPPENED?
Premier League clubs have voted on a potential rule change that would have banned clubs signing players from related teams in the January transfer window. The move came amid speculation that Saudi-owned Newcastle United want to sign Ruben Neves from Pro League Al-Hilal side as a replacement for Sandro Tonali. Manager Eddie Howe has already admitted he likes the midfielder and revealed his club would be against any motion to block such transfers. The PIF own Al-Hilal and three other top clubs in Saudi Arabia in the form of Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad.
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A total of eight Premier League clubs, including Newcastle, voted against the ban. Abu Dhabi-owned Manchester City and Saudi-owned Sheffield United opposed the motion along with Chelsea, Everton, Wolves, Nottingham Forest and Burnley, as reported by Martyn Ziegler for . The decision means that Premier League sides can sign players from partner clubs on loan this winter, despite concerns that such deals provide certain teams with an unfair advantage.
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Al-Hilal are currently top of the table in the Saudi Pro League, four points clear of Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr and top of their AFC Champions League group. The club would surely be reluctant to part ways with club-record signing Neves, particularly after losing star man Neymar to a long-term knee injury.
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The news is likely to be a boost to Howe and Newcastle who can start to firm up plans for the January transfer window. The loss of summer signing Tonali to a 10-month ban for betting offences has been a blow and a replacement may well be sought when the window reopens.
