It’s been a long 18 months – and there aren’t many reasons for anybody to relive April 2020.

Newcastle fans were just about the only people with any cause for optimism back when lockdown began.
 

The Saudi Prince was keen to buy Newcastle United last year, but the takeover was not approved by the Premier League

That’s because a Saudi Arabian takeover, which could’ve seen billions pumped into the Magpies, looked set to go through.

Let us refresh your memories: a £300m takeover bid by PCP Capital Partners, headed by Amanda Staveley and backed by the Saudi royal family’s Public Investment Fund, was on the verge of completion.

The Saudi group, funded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has assets worth more than £255billion, sparking wild dreams that Newcastle could become the next Manchester City.

Before any deal was finalized, the rumour mill was sent into overdrive, with every player under the sun linked with a move to St James’ Park.

Fans dared to imagine a world after Mike Ashley, one where the Magpies matched the spending of the Premier League big boys and realized their potential as a huge club.
 

Newcastle are still owned by Ashley, who is working hard to offload the club

But like previous takeover attempts from Staveley and Peter Kenyon, their hopes were crushed yet again.

The consortium eventually lost patience after a long owners’ and directors’ test from the Premier League, which raised concerns about the Saudi Crown Prince.
 

Plus, the Premier League also took issue with the Saudi ban on beIN Sports, their official broadcaster in the Middle East.

While the owners’ and directors’ test remains under arbitration, one of the obstacles blocking the takeover is about to be removed.

Saudi Arabia is expected to lift their ban on beIN SPORTS, giving fans fresh hope that they could have mega-rich new owners at some point shortly.
 

Staveley has continued to insist the Newcastle takeover WILL go through

Toon fans have been here before, they may be wise to manage their expectations, but we are under no such obligation.

Here are a few players who were genuinely linked with a move to Newcastle back when this new regime appeared a certainty…
 

Let’s start with Edinson Cavani. According to the Chronicle, his camp held talks about joining the Magpies in 2020, during his search for a new club after his Paris Saint-Germain contract expired.

In the end, the Uruguayan joined Manchester United on a free transfer, netting ten goals in the Premier League last season.

Defenders appeared pretty low on the Saudis’ agenda, with Lazio striker Ciro Immobile revealing he was also contacted by the prospective new owners about a move to St James’ Park.

Cavani has been a good addition to United

Speaking to Corriere Dello Sport, the Italian goal machine also revealed the incoming bosses were planning to replace Steve Bruce with a new manager.

“During the period in which there was talk of the possible purchase of Newcastle by the Sheikh’s fund they called my agent, Alessandro Moggi,” he’s quoted as saying.
 

“Then the Premier League did not approve that proposal, or the fund withdrew, I don’t remember well. I know they were also looking for an Italian coach, [Massimiliano] Allegri or [Luciano] Spalletti.”

On the wing? Spanish publication Sport reported that Newcastle was preparing a £60m bid to sign Gareth Bale from Real Madrid

They weren’t done there. According to Marca, Arturo Vidal was weighing up an offer to join the new regime at Newcastle. France Football claimed Philippe Coutinho was doing the same. And so was Nabil Fekir, as per a report in Mundo Deportivo.

Bale ended up rejoining Spurs on loan last season

Coutinho, somehow, remains at Barcelona

That’s some midfield, but of course, Newcastle would need to do some defending.

So they were reportedly lining up a move for Napoli center-back Kalidou Koulibaly, according to Foot Mercato, via The Sun.

Others such as Luka Jovic and Wilfried Zaha were also mentioned as part of a grand scheme already being drawn up before the takeover collapsed.
 

Disclaimer: no matter how legitimate the links, or how much money the Saudis brought to Newcastle, assembling a team with all those players isn’t only impossible – it just wouldn’t be functional.

But one thing’s for sure, expect a whole host of big names linked with the Magpies yet again if this takeover is back on the table.

Source: Talk Sport