How Newcastle could loan Messi, Ronaldo AND Benzema as owners acquire new clubs

NEWCASTLE’S owners have bought the Saudi clubs that Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Karim Benzema could be playing for next season.

And there are no rules to stop Toon from bringing in one of the superstars on loan. 

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Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund owns 80 per cent of the Magpies and yesterday acquired FOUR of the Kingdom’s biggest clubs.

Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal have all been set up as newly founded companies 75 per cent owned by the PIF.

Ronaldo plays for Al-Nassr and Benzema has just signed a two-year deal at Al-Ittihad.

While free agent Messi — said by his dad to prefer a Barcelona return — has been offered more than £350million a year by Al-Hilal.

Sides under multi-club ownership can trade players, with PIF hinting at collaboration.

Yet there will be fierce resistance from Prem rivals if Newcastle try to land a global star on the cheap.

And the League itself would take a dim view if the Toon looked to sign someone on loan without paying “fair market value”.

Magpies co-owner Jamie Reuben told the Business of Sport podcast: “In order to meet Financial Fair Play, we’re going to play by the rules.”

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There is no set limit to how many players a Premier League club can have on loan from overseas, meaning in theory Newcastle could sign all three.

However, for domestic loan transfers, the rules limit this to a maximum of four per season and only two at any one time.