£2.4bn top tier talks amid Liverpool owner John W. Henry's meeting with Newcastle United chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan

Newcastle United's chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan was reportedly visited by Liverpool owner John W. Henry after Fenway Sports Group left the PIF Governor 'furious'. In June 2023 it was announced Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund's LIV would merge with the established PGA Tour, putting to bed the rivalry and poaching that had built up since the former's creation. But the two have been locked in discussions ever since, surpassing the initial framework agreement deadline of December 31.

But a consortium of U.S sports owners- which includes Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group- have agreed to invest $3bn (£2.4bn) into the PGA Tour to create PGA Tour Enterprises- a deal which is thought to have scuppered PIF's plans. The deal is also said to have left Al-Rumayyan furious.

And now it is claimed John W. Henry - who has owned Liverpool since 2010 - made the trip to Saudi Arabia to meet with the Newcastle United chairman in person along with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan. According to the Sports Business Journal, discussions took place over the proposed merger, suggesting a LIV-PGA deal is still on the table despite FSG's swoop.

Despite talks, FSG's investment will dilute PIF involvement in the new PGA Tour. Al-Rumayyan was set to act as chairman for the merger, however his role - should there be an agreement- may be scaled back.

But there is no guarantee of a deal between Newcastle United's owners and the PGA Tour which would see golf's 'civil war' continue. Just recently PIF poached reigning Masters champion Jon Rahm in a deal said to be worth £450m.