Saudi investors seek EU approval for the acquisition of Electronic Arts, in a deal worth 55 billion dollars.

A consortium of investors, led by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF), has requested approval from European competition authorities for the acquisition of the American video game developer Electronic Arts (EA), in a deal valued at $55 billion.

The European Commission will make a decision by July 22, having the option to approve the deal unconditionally, impose corrective measures, or open an in-depth investigation. The consortium includes, alongside PIF, the company Affinity Partners, founded by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump, and the investment fund Silver Lake.

This acquisition, announced in September last year, targets Electronic Arts, known for popular franchises such as "Battlefield" and "Madden NFL." PIF is thus strengthening its exposure in the video game industry, aiming to transform Saudi Arabia into an international hub for gaming and esports. Although it is estimated that the deal will receive approval, it will also be analyzed based on the new European Union rules regarding external subsidies, which aim to prevent competitive advantages obtained through external funding.

So far, investors have not submitted the necessary documentation for the assessment of the deal according to these rules.