Saudi Pro League giants Al Nassr have launched a sensational $800,000-per-week contract offer to Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe, complete with a tax-free salary and a lavish beachfront mansion in Jeddah, The Athletic reveal.
However, sources close to the 46-year-old insist he is leaning toward rejecting the deal to continue his “emotional project” at St James’ Park, driven by family ties, Premier League ambitions, and a hunger to build on Newcastle’s Champions League return.
The staggering proposal, confirmed by intermediaries involved in the talks, includes a tax-exempt weekly wage of $800,000—nearly 10 times Howe’s current earnings—and a $12 million luxury property overlooking the Red Sea, equipped with a private gym, cinema, and direct beach access.
Al Nassr, home to Cristiano Ronaldo, framed the offer as part of their mission to recruit a “world-class strategist” capable of rivaling rival clubs like Al Hilal and Al Ittihad in both Asia and globally.
“Eddie is flattered, of course—it’s a life-changing sum,” said a source close to the negotiations. “But his heart is in Newcastle. He’s obsessed with consolidating last season’s success, especially with Champions League nights returning here. His family’s roots in the North East and the bond he’s built with the club and fans mean more than any paycheck.”
Howe, who masterminded Newcastle’s meteoric rise from relegation battlers to a top-four finish in just 18 months, has become a symbol of the Magpies’ resurgence under Saudi-backed ownership. Despite Al Nassr’s financial firepower—a hallmark of the Saudi league’s aggressive recruitment—colleagues say Howe is determined to cement his legacy in England.
“He’s not finished yet,” a Newcastle staffer emphasized. “The project here is personal. He wants to prove this squad can compete with Europe’s elite, not walk away mid-journey.”
Al Nassr’s pursuit underscores Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to lure top-tier managerial talent, following failed bids for Jurgen Klopp and Unai Emery. Yet Howe’s reluctance highlights the Premier League’s enduring pull, even against Gulf-state riches.
Newcastle’s hierarchy, aware of the offer, is reportedly preparing to back Howe with increased transfer funds this summer, aiming to strengthen a squad already featuring stars like Bruno Guimarães and Alexander Isak.
“This isn’t just about money—it’s about loyalty,” added a Howe confidant. “He’s said privately that walking away now would feel like abandoning his own family. The Saudis might offer paradise, but Eddie’s paradise is here, building something historic.”
As pressure mounts, Howe is expected to formally decline Al Nassr’s advances in the coming days, opting instead to spearhead Newcastle’s charge on four fronts next season: the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup.
