The Nigerian consortium hoping to buy Newcastle United has told the BBC that it has now officially presented its bid to the club, and it was placed late Friday evening.
The BBC is reporting that the man fronting the Nigerian bid, UK-based businessman Chris Nathaniel, has however refused to confirm the size of the bid.
When asked the size of the bid he told the BBC:
“We can’t at this stage, that’s confidential between ourselves and Newcastle, but a bid was put in on Friday evening,”
“There’s been no time-line given by Newcastle but we hope it will be sometime soon.”
Previous reports suggested the Nigerian group had raised £350M and was looking to even increase that figure. We were half expecting an announcement from them on Friday, so the fact they put in their bid on Friday evening is consistent with what they said previously.
So this consortium looks like it’s for real. Nathaniel told the BBC’s African sports program Fast Track that the Nigerian group would not get involved in a bidding war.
“What they don’t want to do is spend a load of money to buy the club and have no money to buy players and to work on what is a quite a troubled infrastructure,”
The actual identities of the people behind the deal remain a closely guarded secret, and Nathaniel said they wanted to remain anonymous until their bid is accepted. That’s not uncommon in bids like this.
We expect a few more bids to be launched for the club this week, and we don’t know if the bidders have to meet Ashley’s price to officially bid, and that price may well be £350M.
We think there may be a few surprises this week.
We don’t have anything against the Nigerian Consortium, as long as we don’t have all players from the Nigerian National side, but there again we don’t know who they are, or what their intentions are.
They do seem to want to bring back Keegan and give him some spending money, so that wouldn’t be bad. Perhaps that’s also how the news got out about Newcastle wanting Celtic’s Aiden McGeady – they may have already talked to Keegan about who he wants in January.
We hope Ashley isn’t greedy and sparks a bidding war, so the winners will have no money left to invest in players – that would be the last straw.
We don’t think Mike will do that.
Comments welcome.
122 comments so far
Ben-Toon
Sep 29, 2008 at 3:49 PM
Comment #41BenjiToon – we do mate and im sure we are singing from the same hym sheet too.
GM
Sep 29, 2008 at 3:49 PM
Comment #42Agree hitman Van Gall would be v good. It would be interesting to see exaclty how many supporters actually want to see KK back? I for one dont and wasnt too chuffed when he appeared the last time, I felt that MA missed a big trick. I just hope whoever buys the club doesnt play the same PR card MA did just to get the fans on board and some season tickets sold.
I think they will show much more credability if
they look at all the options and go for the best that is available.
Dondatta13
Sep 29, 2008 at 3:53 PM
Comment #43My views posted the other day regarding premiership clubs changing hands …
Dondatta13 // Sep 27, 2008 at 20:31
I wish the government would step in, in all honesty. Someone like the sports minister maybe. There should be certain legislation brought in to stop people like Ashley using this, or anyother club as a “play thing”…
People looking to sell/purchase clubs should have to match a certain criteria, or in this case be held more accountable…
Premier league teams are the focal point for the community in many cities and hundreds of thousands of people, no one should have the power to destroy a club just because they have wealth.
We have Graded/listed buildings for heavens sake. When they get to a certain age you cannot change them without prior consent. So why are footballing institutions around for over 100 years allowed to be brought to their knees on a whim?
I just dont get it …
Toon_Phil
Sep 29, 2008 at 3:53 PM
Comment #44I dont think the nigerians will give Keegan much money.
We certainly wont be able to get into the top 5 with the transfer budgets.
I think 30-60 million in the summer, which isnt much compared to the top 4 and chelsea/man city!
murvar
Sep 29, 2008 at 3:54 PM
Comment #45MickyToon – my interpretation of the Keegan “suing” of the club is that it’s a counter-claim of constructive dismissal ie in effect he was sacked by the employers making it impossible for him to saty (by undermining him and breaking their pblic promises to him). This is in order to block their case against him for damages for leaving before the end of his contract. Both sides have been silent on the issue for some time now and both will be hoping that the takeover renders both “actions” unnecessary. I don’t think new owners should be wary of KK because of this; anyone who knows anything about the situation knows that KK was forced out and was right to go.
dave v
Sep 29, 2008 at 3:54 PM
Comment #46If Dr Mike Adenuga Jnr is part of the consortium this could prove to be very exciting as he is looking to create a pan African media empire, he is also laying a communications cable in the sea to link up Africa with Europe.
Newcastle United would be the centrepiece of his sports coverage all over Africa, can you see the potential?
Ian
Sep 29, 2008 at 3:55 PM
Comment #47Some of us should remind ourselves where our favourite player is from, Martins is Nigerian and a better person none of us could hope to meet.
Look at Russia for real crime, it is Mafia riddled, but still quality businesses emerge from there.
Ben-Toon
Sep 29, 2008 at 3:56 PM
Comment #48GM – I am starting to agree with you, yes Kev will be a quick fix and get the fans on there side but when he left and left the club in this position a part of me feels let down.
I say we need a long term plan and give a new manager a new start.
Any suggestions (realistically)
Obafan
Sep 29, 2008 at 3:56 PM
Comment #49I hope that the new owner(s) search a good European manager. Van Gaal would be fantastic IMO.
But before we talk about a new manager; let us hope that the club is sold in a short time so that it can move on.
Ian
Sep 29, 2008 at 3:57 PM
Comment #50One thing is for certain, the weeds in Newcastle United at the moment are choking the life out of the place, dumb and dumber running the show, it would be difficult to find anyone worse.
Only to be topped by hiring Joking Here.
HAMMY14
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:01 PM
Comment #51When we get taken over by who-ever how about these guys for permement manager Frank Rijard , Zico , Louis Vander Hal ( Dutch ex Barca boss ) Dider Deschamps and Roberto Macnchini?
ANDYGLLOSTOON
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:01 PM
Comment #52david moyes as our next manager!
Ben-Toon
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Comment #53Ian – I know kinner wasnt our first choice but under the circumstances any help will do.
The crazy gangs biggest strength under kinner was there team spirt, and that is what we need right now. If he is a man manger like they say he is then lets get behind him ans support the boys to get us out of this hole
little willie
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Comment #54murvar // Sep 29, 2008 at 15:54
anyone who knows anything about the situation knows that KK was forced out and was right to go.
———
Surely that should say anyone who believes what they read in the Chronicle and believe Keegan can do no wrong because he loves the club so much?
He’s as much to blame as anyone.
Ben-Toon
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:08 PM
Comment #55little willie – agree mate if KK loved the club so much he would have said to Ashley “look I cannot work like this so I will give you 2 weeks to find a replacement then Im off”
Hey people work in a lot worse conditions than NUFC.
I love KK and what he has done for us but I do feel a little let down
murvar
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:10 PM
Comment #56Little Willie
Couldn’t agree less. The problem is thay K is a man of integrity and this lot on the Board are charlatans. They didn’t live up to his standards or their own promises. He’s gor principles. They haven’t. He knows football and this region. They don’t. I cannot understand why our own take against the only person apart from Sir Bob who has brought any relative success or attractive football to the club.
broon ale
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:12 PM
Comment #57TOON- PHIL randy lerner is worth 1 billion and he doesnt spend a boat load of cash but villa seem to be making progress.
surely 30-60 million would be considered substantial investment. ?
Geordie Taipei
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:12 PM
Comment #58Ive said it before and i’ll say it again – I HATE MIKE ASHLEY SO MUCH “! AND HOPE SOMEBODY STAMPS ON DENNIS WISE.
Zuton The Great
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:15 PM
Comment #59Hail Geordie Earthlings, I was thinking of bringing in the Titanian Whip Ladies to manage the team, Ze are very efficient and get interesting results from lazy players. What is your opinions on this.
Ben-Toon
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:16 PM
Comment #60murvar – your right but his integrity would be still intact if not greater if he just came out and said “I cannot work like this and I will leave in 2 weeks find a replacement”
We would have all done the same in his situation because we could all see it coming but it didnt half drop us in the mia
broon ale
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:16 PM
Comment #61hammy. Zico has just started his new job at the weekend so i cant see how he would be considered a realistic target
murvar
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:20 PM
Comment #62Ben Toon – I accept that but don’t think it was practical – hard to do that in 2 weeks. And maybe he did – I think he was clearly trying to sort stuff out before he resigned. Shame Mort went – he seemed good at his job.
Zuton – I really think you’re on to something here. The next bid will probably be from the Planet Tharg; the Thargons are by far the most football-loving aliens in the plutosphere. Joe Kinnear, Dennis Wise and Mike Ashley used to live there but were evicted for crimes against soccer.
HAMMY14
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:21 PM
Comment #63Broon Ale. Take Zico off the list who would you go for? Toon Phill is that you workid?
broon ale
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:24 PM
Comment #64hammy. would have to be Van Gaal.
i remember very well how Az alkmaar tore newcastle apart!
HAMMY14
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:27 PM
Comment #65I would have him or Frank Rijard both fab managers with trophy winning backgrounds who would thrive at the mighty Toon
broon ale
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:29 PM
Comment #66as long they are more succesfull than our last dutch coach
irish_al
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:30 PM
Comment #67any one else think Kinnear offers the same sort of managerial attributes that Keegan did?
Ben-Toon
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:30 PM
Comment #68murvar – Do you think KK would come back given the chance or even in a director of football role. although I think he would prefer a hands on role with the players
Has NUFC fat cats burnt him too many times
murvar
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:31 PM
Comment #69And I would have Keegan who has shown he can thrive at the Toon. He motivates players (in English) and he can spot a player and get the best out of them Martins is a better palyer for having Keegan as manager (he couldn’t have got much worse). We had Gullit and what a shambles that was. Why would Rijkard be any better – not used to Premiership.
Ben-Toon
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:32 PM
Comment #70irish_al – I posted earler : The crazy gangs biggest strength under kinnear was there team spirt, and that is what we need right now. If he is a man manger like they say he is then lets get behind him ans support the boys to get us out of this hole
broon ale
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:33 PM
Comment #71irish-al. no i dont!
credit to the bloke for having the balls to take on the job but his appointment is a joke and it points to desperation.
murvar
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:33 PM
Comment #72Ben Toon – I think he would prefer to be on the training pitch but would want a Dir of Football who is on his wavelength; someone who can see the qualities in a player. I would think Shearer Beardsley or Rob Lee for example could be just a s good as Wise in that role. I could see KK as a Chief Exec but doubt he would want it – too much non-footballing stuff.
broon ale
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:37 PM
Comment #73also kinnear seems a little crazy.
first he said he last had job 18 months ago when in fact it was 4 years.
then he said he was banned for incident away to rotherham when it was in fact away to gillingham.
he then called Geremi JEREMIAH!
he then swore on TV twice.
so irish al! nothing like keegan buddy! sorry,
Ben-Toon
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:38 PM
Comment #74murvar – Exciting line up that mate, would take anyone of those to head up the team in that role
Sukesian
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:42 PM
Comment #75Ashley will definitely implement a scorched earth policy and sell to the consortium he and his friends think will be the most detrimental to NUFC – so he will accept the Nigerian bid.
Ever seen a mackem in Milan?
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:43 PM
Comment #76I would not bring Keegan back. He was right in leaving because of the lack of control but he also left us in the brown stuff and if we can get a proven top manager when the new owners come in i would take him over Keegan every time.
toonoot
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:51 PM
Comment #77Absolute tosh. I refuse to believe this Nigerian bid is on the level. There is a scam being worked out somewhere.
murvar
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:53 PM
Comment #78Milan Mackem – I disagree – he didn’t leave us in the brown stuff at all. Don’t blame the victim. He was the bloke pitching for us in all this. He would get the push if the team failed but he was to be given players he knew weren’t right and had to lose ones he wanted to keep? Come on!
hitman
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:54 PM
Comment #79it looks lik keegan was reet aboot nacho and xisco
Zuton The Great
Sep 29, 2008 at 4:57 PM
Comment #80Murvar, regretably the Thargonians are no more as a referee from that system gave a bad decision against one of the Zutonian players in the intergalactic cup and I was forced to obliterate their planets. Hopefully it will not be necessary to have to do likewise in your very fair league systems.