Newcastle owners take majority stakes in four Saudi clubs including Al Nassr

TAKEOVER: Cristiano Ronaldo’s club Al Nassr are one of four Saudi sides who are now majority-owned by the country’s Public Investment Fund, which also owns Newcastle. Pic: Mike Egerton/PA

The Saudi sovereign wealth fund which owns Newcastle has taken majority stakes in four of the Middle Eastern country’s biggest clubs, including Cristiano Ronaldo’s team Al Nassr.

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) is taking 75 per cent stakes in Al Nassr, Asian Champions League finalists Al Hilal, Al Ahli and Al Ittihad, who are understood to be interested in signing Karim Benzema after his intention to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season was confirmed.