'Fans want success, not to talk politics' – Ex-Newcastle United man lays out his thoughts on Saudi takeover

The Magpies are on the verge of a £300million takeover by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, Reuben Brothers and Amanda Staveley’s PCP Capital Partners.

And while United fans have been overjoyed at the news, critics have been lining up to shoot the deal down – the most vociferous of them all Qatar-based TV company BeIN Sports.

“If the new owners come in and win the league for Newcastle, they’ll love them,” said Barnes, who played for United between 1997 and 1999, to bonuscodebets.co.uk.

“The whole idea that they’re not the people they want to work at St James’ Park – (the reality is) football fans want success for their clubs, so I don’t suppose Newcastle fans will be that disturbed.

“If more money comes into the club and they’re able to get success, that’s a political situation where Newcastle fans will decide they want people like that owning their club but I’m sure the Newcastle fans want success. If they’re allowed to take over the club they’ll welcome them with open arms.”

While the talk in some quarters is of a slow build post-takeover, Spanish journalist Guillem Balague claimed last week new Saudi owners want to do ‘Manchester City’ but quicker.

How long does Barnes think it could take new owners to replicate what Sheikh Mansour has done at the Etihad?

“Marquee signings for Newcastle are not marquee signings,” said Barnes, a part of the United side which conquered Barcelona 3-2 in the Champions League in 1997.

“(Cristiano) Ronaldo is not going there, (Lionel) Messi is not going there, (Kylian) Mbappe is not going there.

“If they are sold, I still don’t think that the best players in the world are going to go to Newcastle.

“They’re not marquee signings, they’re players that Newcastle probably couldn’t have got before the Saudi Arabians take over.

“They’ll spend more money, attract more players in terms of the salaries they’re going to pay, that’s the same as any club.”