Can Saudi money save Newcastle United from Premier League relegation?

For Newcastle United, October 7th 2021 will go down as one of the most significant days in the club’s history, and that of world football too.

The Geordies were taken over by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund and they therefore ended the 14-year stint of previous owner Mike Ashley. Such a change has now seen them become widely considered to be the richest club in football due to their now massive monetary might.

Fans took to the streets to celebrate the takeover and it signalled a belief that Newcastle would return to the club they once were, a competitor for the Premier League title.

However their success off the pitch has been a far cry from their performances on the pitch, with the Magpies playing Championship football as recently as the 16/17 campaign. They returned to the top flight the season after, but have only finished in the top half of the Premier League once since then.

It has been clear to see in recent months that a lot more is needed for Newcastle to truly begin their potential rise back to the top, but will their new-found riches be enough to save them this season?

Eddie Howe has been manager for just two months, having previously taken charge at Bournemouth. He guided the Cherries from League One to the Premier League and maintained their spot in the top division from 2015 to 2020. At the age of just 44, he is still considered to be a young manager and his possession-based style of play has the potential to change his side’s fortunes.

The Magpies’ January transfer activity began within the first week of the month as Kieran Trippier became the club’s inaugural signing in their new era. Having already played in the top flight of English football for Tottenham Hotspur, the 31-year-old is no stranger to the trials and tribulations the Premier League has to offer. He will no doubt be a strong asset for their defence.

However, their FA Cup third round tie against Cambridge United on Saturday afternoon was nothing but a huge wake-up call.

The visiting U’s sustained intense pressure from Newcastle at St. James’ Park, with goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov making a series of top saves to deny the hosts all game. Joe Ironside’s turn and finish in the 56th minute was enough to send the League One outfit through to the fourth round. Howe’s side left the stadium embarrassed, especially considering the likes of Trippier, Allan Saint-Maximin and Fabian Schär all started the game.

Such a loss has ensured that they have only won one game all season in all competitions. A 1-0 home win against fellow relegation candidates Burnley is the victory they have enjoyed all campaign. Even Norwich City, who are currently rock bottom of the Premier League, have won more than them.

Therefore, with their new investment and the opportunity to now operate in the transfer market, there is a sense that they will look to recruit new personnel for the rest of the season.

The Athletic have reported that even before their upcoming relegation battle against Watford this weekend, they are keen to bring in a new centre-back and striker. Top scorer Callum Wilson is set to be out of action for around eight weeks due to a calf injury he suffered against Manchester United.

Chris Wood of Burnley is reportedly a target for the Toon, with Joelinton’s sole goal being the closest another striker has scored for the club and thus hinting that their attack needs to be strengthened.

Furthermore, Newcastle’s defence have only kept one clean sheet all season, coming in the same sole win against the Clarets, so there is no doubt the backline needs to improve.

Sven Botman and Diego Carlos have been the rumoured names who could join the Magpies, with both a making combined 44 appearances for Lille and Sevilla respectively, some of those also coming in the Champions League.

The question is whether their new funds and recruitment be enough to save them from the drop in the next few months. The answer? Most likely, no.

Transfers in the January transfer window are a lot more difficult to complete compared to the summer. Unless a player is unhappy at a club or are not getting enough game time, a move can be hard to complete.

We have seen in the past that fresh investment into football clubs can really help them to thrive competitively on the pitch, with the like of Chelsea, Manchester City and Paris Saint Germain all experiencing success almost every season. However, most of the acquisitions they have made that have led them to such success have been completed in the summer, where there is more flexibility in the market.

Newcastle may be able to bring in top players this month and would no doubt be stronger than they were in December, but it could be too little too late.

They are yet to show any sort of run of form that could suggest they may be able to survive relegation and remain in the Premier League. The two teams above them, Burnley and Watford, also have at least one game in hand. Eight draws prove that they have some sort of ability to compete on the pitch, but this is clearly not enough for them to survive as of yet.

Attracting players to a 19th-placed club in a relegation battle will be a huge obstacle for them to overcome, with bumper contracts potentially needed to bring in the calibre of player they desire. The signing of England international and La Liga champion Trippier could oppose this thought, but for the Magpies to truly stand a chance of survival, more top level players will be needed.

The summer transfer window may be the only real opportunity for this to become a reality, but by that time they could be back in the Championship.

It will take a lot for Newcastle to avoid the drop. They are lucky to see that Burnley, Norwich City and Watford are just as bad, if not potentially worse than them and are also in danger of being relegated. The Magpies’ financial power certainly gives them an advantage but for the time it takes for any new players to join and integrate themselves into the side, they could find themselves with too much work to do as the season draws to an end.

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