Saudi Arabian investors in talks to take stake in Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints

Saudi Arabian investors are in talks to take over two top East Midlands rugby clubs.

Representatives of the Saudi sovereign Public Investment Fund (PIF), which bought Newcastle United in 2021, have been locked in discussions with Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints with a view to pumping seven-figure sums into the clubs, according to The Telegraph.

PIF is also considering takeover deals for Newcastle Falcons and Gloucester.

Reports suggest that the group is looking to take over control of naming rights of the clubs’ stadia and the setting up of a rugby academy in Saudi Arabia.

The combined investment could be as much as £60m.

The move comes after three Premiership clubs went under in the space of just 10 months last season, and will undoubtedly be welcomed by Premiership bosses.

A spokesperson for the Premiership said they could not comment on individual club issues.

The news comes less than a year after Leicester Tigers secured their financial future after plans for further investment from two board members were overwhelmingly voted through at a General Meeting.

Tom Scott and executive chairman Peter Tom injected a further £13m into the club, which at the time said it was facing a “cash squeeze”.