The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Bin Salman, has completed his Newcastle takeover.
The proposed £305m deal has been discussed for months and was held up because of a feud between the Saudi government and Qatari broadcaster beIN Sports.
Now though it has been given the green light and Mike Ashley’s turbulent ownership of the Magpies is over.
The Public Investment Fund, which is the Saudi’s sovereign wealth fund belonging to bin Salman, is set to own 80 per cent of the club.
However he also happens to own the world’s most expensive house, which was purchased for £230m back in 2015.
The Chateau Louis XIV, which is inspired by 17th-century French castles, was built between 2008-11 in Louveciennes, near Versailles.
Bin Salman kept his purchase of the property under wraps, concealing his ownership by using shell companies in France and Luxembourg.
The original build was redeveloped with 21st century amenities and is so well kitted out that the fountains, sound systems, lights and air conditioning are all controlled by an iPhone.
The Chateau is surrounded by a moat in 57-acres worth of land.
Step inside the castle and you will find 10 bedroom suites, a huge reception room with a 52ft-high painted dome ceiling, a library and a wine cellar that can store up to 3,000 bottles.
A meditation room can be found inside the castle’s moat and features a transparent underwater chamber that includes a sturgeon and koi swimming around.
The abode also has indoor and outdoor pools, a private cinema, a squash court and two ballrooms.
The owners also boast a nightclub on site, perfect for hosting celebrations should they lead Newcastle back to glory.
Despite the understandable optimism in and around St James’ Park the Premier League has been urged to reconsider the takeover and review its owners test by Amnesty International
Their UK chief executive Sacha Deshmukh said in a statement released to the PA news agency: “Ever since this deal was first talked about we said it represented a clear attempt by the Saudi authorities to sportswash their appalling human rights record with the glamour of top-flight football.
“Saudi ownership of St James’ Park was always as much about image management for Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and his government as it was about football.”
Newcastle currently languish in the relegation zone having failed to win any of their opening seven matches this season.
The Toon Army have seen their side draw three times and lose on four occasions with Bruce under serious pressure.
He managed to keep Newcastle afloat last season but has battled against a lack of investment and fans displeasure throughout his tenure.
Culled from the Mirror
