"Arab investors tend to rely a bit more on their gut"

The rumoured takeover of Newcastle is in line with the country's vision of diversifying its economy, according to an attorney who has worked on many transactions involving Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund.

A deal the size of the rumoured Newcastle transaction is likely to have been worked on for more than six months.

Saudi negotiations differ to those of Western companies in several key aspects.

If contract disputes occur, bringing a claim against the Saudis is likely to end in failure.