PIF ‘would love’ Mbappe in Saudi Arabia ‘for a year’ – Have they forgot they own Newcastle United?

Ben Jacobs says Newcastle United owners PIF are hopeful they can convince Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe to play in Saudi Arabia for one year.

Last month, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund took control of Al Nassr, Al Ahly, Al Hilal and Al Ittihad and they have been extremely ambitious in the summer transfer window.

Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Ruben Neves and Edouard Mendy are four of the many big names who have moved to the middle eastern country this summer.

There is clearly a lot of work going into expanding the Saudi Pro League, which is not exactly great news for Newcastle fans, who would prefer their owners to be investing more time into their club.

The Premier League outfit have already completed the signing of Sandro Tonali from AC Milan, but seeing PIF are looking to bring Mbappe to Saudi Arabia instead of St James’ Park just doesn’t sit right.

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Both outcomes are extremely unrealistic, it has to be said, but Newcastle are in the Champions League and have an endless supply of cash so are surely in a better position to convince the French international.

And yes, we obviously know the Magpies do have financial fair play rules to abide by, unlike clubs in Saudi Arabia, who are flashing their cash like there is no tomorrow.

With Mbappe’s future at PSG currently up in the air after confirming he will not extend his contract beyond 2024, Ben Jacobs has reported that PIF ‘would love’ to bring him to Saudi, even if it is for a single season before he signs for Real Madrid – which is inevitable.

With things ‘tense’ between the player and PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, there is an expectation that Mbappe will be sold this summer if he reaffirms his intention to leave for nothing in 2024.

The Ligue 1 champions are ‘adamant’ he will not walk on a free transfer and will push the 24-year-old out the door if that is going to be the case, even though they obviously do want to keep him, Jacobs claims.

The CBS Sports journalist says Real Madrid’s stance is that they will hold out to sign Mbappe on a free next year, although they could make a bid this summer ‘if the price is right’.

While PSG try to work out the best outcome in what is a big ol’ mess of a situation, there is now interest from Saudi Arabia.

Unfortunately for PIF, Mbappe ‘wants to compete in the Champions League and not take a one-season exodus from it’.

This once again begs the question: Why try to bring him to the middle east and not the north east of England? Actually, when you put it like that…

Jacobs adds that Arsenal and Liverpool are not ‘actively pursuing’ Mbappe despite links to the Frenchman.

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