Clubs demand Premier League investigate Newcastle over Saudi transfer amid accusations of ‘inflating fee’

SEVERAL Premier League clubs are reportedly prepared to raise concerns about Allan Saint-Maximin’s proposed £30million transfer from Newcastle to Al Ahli.

Saint-Maximin, 26, is on the verge of completing a move to the Saudi Pro League side, subsequently ending his four-year stint at St James’ Park.

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Several Prem clubs are set to express concerns over Saint-Maximin’s move to Saudi Arabia[/caption]

Both clubs involved in the transfer are under the same majority ownership – Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) – and according to The Athletic, a number of Premier League clubs believe the link is being used to inflate the winger’s transfer fee.

Some Prem clubs also believe that the deal is being used to disguise an injection of capital as a transfer fee in order to help Newcastle comply with Financial Fair Play rules.

The Magpies have spent over £300m since PIF took over in October 2021.

Premier League regulations state that all transactions above the value of £1m are now checked to ensure that they do not exceed market value.

Several clubs are set to question chiefs of England’s top tier about how they establish market value.

They also want improved transparency from the league surrounding the issue.

Last month, the Premier League reportedly requested written confirmation from Chelsea that the club’s owners had no links to Saudi Arabia.

That came after several players were linked to the Saudi Pro League.

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Kalidou Koulibaly joined Al Hilal in a £20m transfer at the end of June before Edouard Mendy made a £16m switch to Al Ahli.

Hakim Ziyech and Romelu Lukaku have also been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.

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