Exclusive: Eddie Hearn responds to links to Newcastle United Saudi takeover

Reports over the weekend suggested Hearn's dad Barry worked as a fixer in negotiations, introducing key figures in takeover talks when Matchroom Boxing took unified world champion Anthony Joshua to Riyadh to in December.

While both Hearns, along with the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, were in attendance for Joshua v Ruiz Jnr 2, the Matchroom promoter has distanced himself and his father from any involvement in the talks.

Speaking exclusively to the Gazette, Hearn said: "It is absolute rubbish.

"He (Barry) said to me last night, you might get asked about Newcastle and me helping the takeover of the football club.

“I asked him where it had come from and he said 'no idea'. Whether someone has used our name, 'we are talking to the Saudis, oh Barry Hearn, Eddie Hearn' - I don't know.

“We love Newcastle United football club, but we ain't buying it. We are not involved in buying it, so sorry for the person who was driving the price up. We are not in the running."

PIF, along with Reuben Brothers and Amanda Staveley, remain in negotiations to buy Newcastle from Mike Ashley, with work ongoing in legal offices in the Gulf.

But the deal, in the region of £340million is not thought to be as well progressed as originally reported.