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Inter Milan were among the clubs that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund looked at buying, but they ‘chose’ Newcastle United instead.

That’s according to journalist Fabrizio Biasin, who refuses to rule out a return for the Italian side in the future.

As you’ll be aware, PIF bought out Mike Ashley last week, bringing an end to his disastrous ownership of the club and ushering in a new era for Newcastle in the process.

Ever since the takeover, there have been various reports in Italy hinting that PIF might not stop at Newcastle and instead invest in other clubs around Europe, following the path laid out by the City Group at Manchester City.

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Inter Milan are thought to be at the top of their wishlist, and conflicting reports in Italy have hinted that their owners, the Zhang family, could be ready to sell.

That has been dismissed by several outlets, but the fact the interest is there has not, with it now widely accepted that Newcastle’s owners held talks with Inter before their successful takeover at St James’ Park.

Biasin covers that in an editorial for Linterista and says the fact of the matter is, the Saudi group ‘chose’ the Magpies over Inter.

“The PIF fund wanted to land in European football,” he writes on the website.

“They thought about which clubs to bet on. Inter were among them, of course. But then they chose Newcastle.

“For a question of glamour and prestige? The Premier League is the Premier League; the stadium is the stadium, the accounts are the accounts.

“Does this rule out the possibility of the Saudis landing in Serie A in the future, perhaps at Inter?

“No, it’s not excluded at all, but it’s certainly not something of today or tomorrow. Let’s think about Lazio-Inter, which is better.”