Clubs to raise concern with Premier League over Allan Saint-Maximin transfer to Saudi Arabia

You know, the transfer between the clubs that coincidentally have the same owners

Newcastle are in talks with Al Ahli over a £30m deal for the Saudi Pro League side to sign Saint-Maximin this summer.

Both clubs are owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) and clubs are concerned that the link between the two clubs is being used to inflate the Frenchman's transfer fee so that they can comply with Financial Fair Play.

As reported by The Athletic, all deals above the cost of £1m - regardless of whether or not they involve clubs with the same owners - to be checked, as per Premier League regulations.

Eddie Howe's side are reportedly said to be "comfortable" with their valuation of the winger.

Following the PIF's majority takeover of Newcastle in 2021, they were forced to provide the Premier League with "legally binding assurances" that the Saudi state would have no involvement in the running of the club.

In June, the PIF announced that they would take a 75 per cent stake in four founding members of its Pro League — Al Ahli, Al Ittihad, Al Hilal and Al Nassr - while the remaining 25 per cent would be controlled by a non-profit organisation.

Saint-Maximin wasn't in the Newcastle squad for their friendly against Rangers earlier this week and Howe confirmed that he was in talks to leave St James' Park despite claiming that they were reluctant to let him leave.

"Allan is in discussions regarding a move to another club," he said. "Nothing is confirmed, nothing is done. But that’s why he wasn’t here today.

"With Financial Fair Play you have to trade, for us we were stuck in a position where we could not trade players the other way

"That’s how FFP works. We understand that. Maxi is a top player and we definitely don’t want to lose him we want to strengthen the group. Sometimes these things happen and we have to accept that."

The Magpies meanwhile are on the verge of signing Harvey Barnes from Leicester City in a deal reported to be worth £38m.

Related links:

• Al Hilal set to make shock move for Harry Kane
• Cristiano Ronaldo ‘breached’ Nike contract by wearing Adidas
• Newcastle boss Eddie Howe refuses to rule out loaning players from fellow PIF-owned sides in Saudi Arabia