Former Wolverhampton Wanderers striker eyed for role at Newcastle United after Saudi takeover – report

According to a report in the Daily Star, the Saudi football legend, who had an ill-fated spell with Wolves in 2000, is a candidate who could be put forward to represent the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia’s interests on Tyneside.

The PIF-led takeover of United is in the final stages, with the Premier League set to give it the green light following the completion of their owners and directors test.

As part of the £300million deal PIF will acquire an 80% stake in the club, with property tycoons Reuben Brothers and Amanda Staveley’s PCP Capital Partners sharing the remaining 20%.

The report states Al-Jaber could join Saudi Aramco chief Yasir Al-Rumayyan on the United board.

Al-Jaber, 47, is a former Al-Hilal and Saudi Arabia frontman, and is a poster boy for the game in the kingdom. He appeared in four consecutive FIFA World Cups, from 1994 to 2006 – and was captain at two of those tournaments.

Rumayyan is expected to be named chairman of United when the deal is completed, with Jamie Reuben, now of QPR, also named on the new-look Newcastle board.

Staveley and husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi are likely to also be named on the board, and will be tasked with the day-to-day running of the football club alongside Reuben.

Following the Premier League green light, which is seen as a formality, all that will remain is for the financial transaction to take place, which could take up to five days.