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News reports from Dubai that Peter Kenyon has so far failed to raise funds to buy Newcastle United

5 years ago
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Just like Amanda Staveley before him, Peter Kenyon is a name that as been thrust before Newcastle fan offering hope

Maybe most supporters realistically see these as faint hopes as best when it comes to getting rid of Mike Ashley – but they are hopes nevertheless.

Just like Amanda Staveley a year ago, if there is to be any potential buyout of Newcastle United, Peter Kenyon may well be fronting any bid but it would be others financing it.

The Dubai based National newspaper has given their own update on the latest Newcastle United takeover talk and they have two main claims.

They say that a ‘source’ has told them that Peter Kenyon has so far ‘been unable to raise the required funds to instigate a bid’ for Newcastle United.

Meanwhile, they also claim that their information is that there has been no further interest from Amanda Staveley and her potential backers.

The vast majority of Newcastle fans appear to be looking at the takeover talk as just more of the same, very likely Mike Ashley stirring things up with the help of the likes of Sky Sports, as some kind of PR tool and distraction away from the mess he has made at the club, and indeed House of Fraser and Sports Direct.

With all newspaper reports it is questionable as to what exactly they ever have in terms of inside information, reports like this on are so generalised and impossible to prove/disprove.

One thing that is true, is when The National say that relegation fears may make any deal all but impossible.

It is not insider knowledge of course, just basic common sense.

It does though bring us back to whether Mike Ashley has indeed got any serious intention of selling the club.

Just like a year ago, you have to think that if he was genuine about a sale, then that would have been made clear as the season closed and a deal could be done which allows new owners to come in and back a manager in the pre-season transfer window.

Buying a club during the season that could be in serious trouble before any repair work could be done in January, is most unlikely, especially when Mike Ashley will be trying to extract every last penny from a sale…if by some miracle he was up for selling this time.

Meanwhile, Rafa Benitez is left to battle on and try to make the best of a bad job. whilst Mike Ashley plays media/PR games.

The National:

‘Progress on a sale of Newcastle United in the next few weeks is unlikely while the team is struggling to win football matches, despite reports of renewed interest in a takeover of the English Premier League club.

Opto Advisers, led by former Chelsea and Manchester United chief executive Peter Kenyon, is said to be putting together an offer for the club.

However, a source aware of the matter told The National that Kenyon has so far been unable to raise the required funds to instigate a bid.

Ashley, the billionaire founder of retailer Sports Direct, has been seeking a sale of the club for a year and a potential takeover of by a consortium led by Dubai financier Amanda Staveley last season broke down at the discussion stage, amid a failure to agree how much the club was worth.

It is also understood that there has been no renewal of contact over a potential deal between Ashley and PCP’s senior principals Staveley and managing partner Mehrdad Ghodoussi.

Any buyer would have to take on all the future risk – both in terms of possible relegation and the player investment the team badly needs to avoid it.

This is likely to mean any suitors would hold off on their interest until the on-field situation becomes clearer, the source said.

Requests for comment for this article from Newcastle United’s PR advisors went unanswered.’

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