Newcastle United’s chairman vowed that the Public Investment Fund remain as committed as ever to its overseas portfolio.
Yasir Al-Rumayyan has reiterated PIF’s “commitment to investments around the world” amid the ongoing instability in the Middle East.
Disgraced former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys claimed earlier this week that the sovereign wealth fund are looking to sell Newcastle United. A vocal critic of the Saudi-backed takeover during its 18-month deadlock, he noted that PIF have placed a £1billion price tag on the club.
NewcastleWorld understands PIF to be unshaken in their efforts to transform the Magpies into a global powerhouse - as detailed by CEO David Hopkinson. However, fans have recently called for action - not words - with no further update on the stadium or training ground developments.
Yasir Al-Rumayyan breaks silence
Speaking at the FII Priority Miami 2026 event, Toon chairman and PIF governor Al-Rumayyan insisted the investment fund remains “strong, stable and resilient” despite the conflict in Iran unsettling the region. He said: “The Saudi microeconomic and physical position remains strong, stable, and resilient. And the PIF’s portfolio is well diversified and structurally resilient. We are a long-term patient investor.
“We measure our returns not in quarters, but in decades. And PIF remain committed to its investments around the world. We want to get more and more people to work with us, to encourage third-party capital to work with us. Initially, in the previous strategy, we wanted to do most of the investments by ourselves, and it’s all equity.
“Now we are looking into it in a greater way, how to invite people to come and work with us. And I’m not talking only about the domestic investors, the local investors who come and work with us, but I’m talking about the international investors.”
‘Saudis want £1bn’ - Richard Keys
Keys stirred the pot on Monday by claiming PIF are already planning an exit at St James’ Park. He wrote in his personal blog: “Another whisper I picked up recently - and I don’t think this will come as a surprise to anybody - I’m told the Saudis are looking to sell Newcastle.
“Regulars know I’ve been saying for some time the project is over. Apparently, there are interested parties, but the Saudis want £1billion - £500million is nearer the mark.”
Continue Reading