Bayern Munich on Newcastle deal: Saudi money talked

Uli Hoeness, the honorary president of German club Bayern Munich, has made controversial statements about Newcastle's deal to sign German striker Niclas Füllkrug.

Newcastle had succeeded in signing the German striker, Niclas Füllkrug, on a permanent transfer from Stuttgart after strong competition with Bayern Munich in the past summer transfer window.

In media statements, Uli Hoeness criticized the deal due to its value, confirming that the English club managed to seal the deal for a colossal sum from the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Bayern Munich criticizes Saudi PIF over Newcastle deal

Hoeness said in his statements: "We really wanted to sign Füllkrug, and we offered Stuttgart's management 55 million euros, but they wanted 75 million, and we couldn't pay that amount."

The honorary president of Bayern Munich added: "It seems they have now sold him to Newcastle for around 90 million euros. This happened solely because of the money flowing from Saudi Arabia. But what Newcastle is doing has nothing to do with football. It's like a monopoly."

It is worth noting that the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) fully acquired Newcastle United in 2021, and has since succeeded in injecting more funds into the club's coffers and signing several stars.

Füllkrug's transfer value to Newcastle

Füllkrug moved to English club Newcastle on a permanent transfer from German club Stuttgart for approximately 85 million euros in the current summer transfer window.