Newsletter

Get your daily update and weekly newsletter by signing up today!

News

Mike Ashley agrees £300m ‘deal in principle’ to sell Newcastle United by instalments – Report

5 years ago
Share

It is now 10 days since Mike Ashley stated that it was possible Newcastle United could have new owners by the end of December.

Nothing more from the NUFC owner but the media are constantly updating on the story and the newspapers are united in stating, that this time is different, that there is a definite chance of it happening this time.

The coverage unanimous is claiming Mike Ashley is now a willing seller and there are a number of potential buyers engaged in talks with Ashley’s people.

Fair to say though that after being bitten so many times, the vast majority of Newcastle fans will only believe it once the deed is done.

Thursday morning brings an interesting update, with The Northern Echo stating as fact that Peter Kenyon ‘is known to have agreed a deal in principle for £300m to be paid in staggered amounts.’ The newspaper reporting that  now only the ‘finer details’ have to be sorted between the two parties.

The report says that whilst Mike Ashley would obviously prefer to get the money all in one go, his number one priority is the total he will receive, even if he has to wait for some/much of the cash.

For Newcastle fans looking inwards, a buyer not able to come up with the money to pay the full asking price straight away, rings alarm bells when it comes to then worrying whether any such owners could provide the essential extra investment that is needed for both the playing squad and the club’s infrastructure (St James Park, training ground, Academy etc) to kickstart it back into life.

Similar concerns were raised back in 2017 when Mike Ashley allegedly was trying to sell and claimed back then he would accept payment in instalments to help a sale happen.

The Northern Echo report that their understanding is that Peter Kenyon’s consortium are the clear favourites to become the new owners but once again supporters will be sceptical about any sale happening, considering it was back in September when Kenyon’s interest/intentions were first reported by the media. The expectation being that things would have progressed further by now, if it is going to happen.

If any sale is going to happen, it certainly won’t be completed by Mike Ashley’s fantasy end of the month timeline, leading to fans wondering just what will happen in the January window, if anything.

An interesting extra in this latest report, is that the newspaper reveals that Peter Kenyon had been working in the region, in an ‘advisory role’ with Middlesbrough.

As always when it comes to Mike Ashley ever selling Newcastle United, fans are left hoping for the best but fearing the worst.

Share

If you would like to feature on The Mag, submit your article to contribute@themag.co.uk

Have your say

© 2024 The Mag. All Rights Reserved. Design & Build by Mediaworks