Reports suggest that Newcastle’s Saudi Arabian owners are setting their sights on an £800 million takeover of Serie A club Roma.
The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which acquired Newcastle in October 2021, is reportedly in talks with Roma’s American owners, Dan and Ryan Friedkin.
The PIF is planning to make a £768 million offer and invest an additional £258 million in building a new stadium in Pietralata.
The potential takeover bid may be led by private investor Turki Alalshikh, a royal adviser and president of the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia. However, negotiations could be challenging as the Friedkins value the club at £1 billion and wish to retain majority ownership.
Roma’s legal chief, Eric Williamson, has been seen in Riyadh, discussing the takeover and the club’s sponsorship deal with Riyadh Season.
The PIF, part of the Saudi state with reported resources of up to £1.1 trillion, holds a majority stake in Newcastle, which was valued at around £315 billion during the Magpies’ takeover for approximately £300 million.
