The People is reporting today that Mike Ashley has a two-week window to agree on a deal to sell the club.
The paper also reports there are two more potential buyers who have entered the bidding and Ashley is waiting for them to put in an offer for the club.
The Amanda Staveley bid of £250M seems to be deadlocked with Amanda unwilling to increase her bid and Ashley unwilling to accept less than £300M for the club.
Ashley has a total investment in Newcastle of about £262M and he would no doubt like to get his money back.
There were reports of a second bidder yesterday but this is the first time we have heard of a third potential buyer.
The current situation is that Ashley is waiting for a bid from either or both of these new potential buyers.
Mike Ashley – will he accept a bid in next two weeks?
The news a few days ago was that even if a deal is agreed to now it could take by the end of January to fully complete it.
So it looks like we will be stuck with Ashley having to come up with the funds to buy new players in January.
Heaven knows how much he will give Rafa Benitez to bring in new players – not much probably.
Given that we have lost six of the last seven games and seem to be in a complete free fall then if money is not made available in January Newcastle will almost certainly be relegated.
And Mike Ashley will get nowhere near £300M for the club when we are back in the Championship.
If a deal is agreed within the next two weeks the People suggests it is possible for the new owners to be in control sometime in January.
But we doubt that’s possible with the Christmas holidays likely to slow everything down.
The best bet would be that a deal is agreed quickly and transfer fees are made available for January by the new potential owners as a short-term loan to the club.
That would allow Rafa some funds to strengthen the squad – which is now imperative.
But what a way to run a football club!
Even when he’s trying to leave, Mike Ashley is causing undue chaos at Newcastle.
Comments welcome.
118 comments so far
jimiley
Dec 10, 2017 at 12:48 PM
Comment #81Rafa spent 30 million in the summer. All Spaniards. All dross.
TyneMouth
Dec 10, 2017 at 12:51 PM
Comment #82It can’t just be coincidental that this run of bad form started with Ashley’s announcement that he intended to sell the club, which has lead to a Tunsami of debate and speculation throughout the media.
Rafa has said that the proposed sale is not a subject of conversation in the dressing room, well he would say that, wouldn’t he.
The playing squad is very young. The majority of footballers will go through an entire career and never experience a change of ownership. The Daily surge of rumour and fake news must be a concern to a group of very young and unexperienced players.
If you have ever worked for a company or a business when redundancy was imminent, you’ll know what that feels like.
Whether this change of ownership occurs or not, the sooner it’s resolved, the better.
Toonfan8
Dec 10, 2017 at 12:52 PM
Comment #83YoungMag
You think we should be positive? 1 point from 21 isnt sign to be positive
YoungMag :P
Dec 10, 2017 at 12:52 PM
Comment #84Team vs Everton (team where we got our three game win streak)
_______________Elliot
Manquillo_Lascelles_Clark_Mbemba
__________Hayden_Merino
Ritchie________Perez_______Atsu
______________Joselu
I know Gayle is playing decent, but this team worked hard and was very compact for us. Perez doing all th pressing from the front gave us an incentive to carry on pressing each game. It’s just way more solid. I can see Rafa picking this team.
Toonfan8
Dec 10, 2017 at 12:54 PM
Comment #85YoungMag Joselu upfront ?
YoungMag :P
Dec 10, 2017 at 12:54 PM
Comment #86Toon fan
Okay mate my bad, let’s all just drain eachothers days with constant negativity. Sounds great. So much point to that right?
If this is how we have to feel whilst being in the prem, what must it be like for Sunderland. Jeez.
Tinman
Dec 10, 2017 at 12:54 PM
Comment #87We will look a different animal with Dummet and Atsu down the left again. Manquillo was useless. He could have passed and we would have won 3-2 but he screwed it up and they went and scored.
I called Lejeune out after watching him in pre season yet got slated on here. Rafa has brought Lejeune in because someone must have told Lejeune he has a good long ball, I haven’t seen him get one right yet.
Toonfan8
Dec 10, 2017 at 12:59 PM
Comment #88YoungMag
I would stay positive if I see something ofthat kind, but Rafa, mike, spannish dross, there is nothing to be so
Essex Geordie Bill
Dec 10, 2017 at 12:59 PM
Comment #89Right time to re-post my whinge.
I’d had a wee drop of alcohol and was a bit maudlin but what I said I felt was reasonable.
We looked really solid at the back until Lascelles was out of the team, and whilst one man shouldn’t make that much difference it clearly has.
It’s embarrassing to see us constantly out played by teams that on paper aren’t any better than ours.
Who is this down too? Either we are competent as a team with set methods of playing throughout the whole of the training set-up from juniors upwards, or we a bunch of non integrated misfits.
I thought that Rafa would be getting cohesive team play set up as a given but if he is it isn’t showing, who is that down to?
It no use us moaning about not having star players being bought into the team during the transfer windows if there isn’t a basic model already in place and there doesn’t seem to be, who is that down to?
We certainly shouldn’t be setting our hopes on the return of one man to suddenly work a miracle and turn the whole ship around, if that is the case then there is something wrong with the whole setup.
Constantly picking the what is obvious to every Toon fan, the weakest teams smack either of stupidity, or carelessness.
I’m beginning to wonder if Rafa is deliberately angling for the sack, his body language during matches would suggest no but his choices and tactics seem to be very at odds with his reputation.
Also saying that he is cherry picking the easier games (if there is such a thing) to play the best of our players and try and get results is absolute nonsense, there aren’t any.
I could ramble on a lot more and this is a cathartic thing for myself, so having got some of it out I’ll stop there.
lets hope Wednesday gives us less to moan about!!
And Whingers of the World unite!!!! 🙂
Tsunki
Dec 10, 2017 at 1:04 PM
Comment #90Stains-dog no there’ll be no apology from me for calling you like you are, you can’t help being a schoolboy but being a trite fool is all on you. Carry on with your foul insults I’ll just keep on pointing out what. Juvenile dolt you are until you reach puberty or get some sense. Why not try your utterly lame “Josiere” gag again that’ll have them rolling in the aisles. 😀
Zekalea
Dec 10, 2017 at 1:07 PM
Comment #91Im quite a rare poster on here but ive just got this off my chest. Ive noticed its just doom and gloom on here i mean, people calling for rafa to be sacked are just bat s### CRAZY, he is the best manager we’ve had in so long, who else do you think we can attract??? We are a championship squad with one of if not the worst owners in the league. Besides the only reason there is a takeover is because of rafa so calm your tits and support the team. Sorry for the rant
lochinvar
Dec 10, 2017 at 1:08 PM
Comment #92See that some lad called Charlie Austin scored early against Arsenal and had scored a few goals of late.
Tinman
Dec 10, 2017 at 1:10 PM
Comment #93Zekalea,
What drivel…
We are playing terribly. There are at least half a dozen teams no better than ours. Not seeing mistakes based on someone’s reputation is bat#### crazy.
I don’t want him sacked as he is the best we have had in ages and the best we are going to get.
But when the team plays this badly for this long, without any heart, leaving huge gaps yet having no attacking intent then I think people are more than entitled to have a moan
Zekalea
Dec 10, 2017 at 1:17 PM
Comment #94Tinman, Not bashing anyone for moaning and i was just simply saying we have terrible owner and a championship squad, also i can see that rafa makes mistakes but at the end of the day he was promised funds and he didn’t get them. Sorry for my “Drivel”
martoon
Dec 10, 2017 at 1:18 PM
Comment #95Nufc-83 – You were asking earlier about the predictions – it was me who collected them. However I’m not going to post a list just to make posters look stupid but I will probably post a complete list over the Xmas holidays (when I’ve got time to format them to display correctly on WordPress)
Ron Knee
Dec 10, 2017 at 1:19 PM
Comment #96Zekalea
How long will it be before people start calling for Tony Pulis?
Zekalea
Dec 10, 2017 at 1:21 PM
Comment #97Ron knee, i know who i would rather have 🙂
Our Toon
Dec 10, 2017 at 1:23 PM
Comment #98Does anyone know why we only press high up for the first 10mins of a game? We started really well yesterday. Got the early goal and were in top. In every game that we take a lead we then drop back and defend which gives the opposition a foothold.
Why do we retreat and who’s instructions is it to drop back?
Nufc-83
Dec 10, 2017 at 1:24 PM
Comment #99Posters look stupid you said it yourself Martoon haha. People going on about Rafa buys this year he just tried to get bodies through the door or we would have been playing u23 lads now. Do you really think the likes of manquillo and Joselu were in his plans!! He wanted Abraham and others who have done well yet we never got them through the door.
Nufc-83
Dec 10, 2017 at 1:26 PM
Comment #100Our toon Rafa won’t tell them to lower the intensity it’s just a natural reaction for the players to try and hold what they have by being a little more defensive and also it naturally gives the opposition a kick up the hoop so it looks like we have started playing worse when it’s a combination of things.
Toonces
Dec 10, 2017 at 1:28 PM
Comment #101Jimiley: Jacob Murphy. What part of Spain is he from?
posada
Dec 10, 2017 at 1:29 PM
Comment #102Charlie
I know what you mean about the 50/50s and tackles.
The ball was there to be won, but more often or not they won it.
For 2 of their goals we seemed to have 4-5 chances to get the ball or win it back. Each time we didnt.
Why? Well it’s complicated.
They had pace up front. Even when they had the ball at the very back we were dropping deep. That leaves loads of space, particularly for Gray to drop into.
We had pace with Gayle, but they did not drop so deep. Perhaps just 2-3 yards, but it makes the world of difference.
I watch the game from the side so perhaps see this more.
We didnt seem to be at the pace of the game. Fitness ? Effort ?
Who knows.
If the other side has 65% possession your gonna be knackered chasing it round for a full hour of play. It’s not like we were sitting back and hoping to hit them on the break.
Perhaps that is just rambling on or perhaps somewhere in there is part of the answer.
Our Toon
Dec 10, 2017 at 1:35 PM
Comment #103Nufc83
Me and you got plenty of stick preseason for saying this squad would struggle, the signings weren’t inspiring. Leaving all that to one side though, we have no plan on the pitch. It’s as if all we do in training is work on team shape.
I might be wrong but wasn’t manquillo bought before rafa realised he wouldn’t get the money from Ashley? Personally I’d have saved the 4m and kept Anita. If have kept Murphy over joselu.
Perez bought off the bench yesterday stood and watched Okazaki run past him, he reacted far to late and by the time he did he put it in his own net. Darlow shocking keeper.
Squad isn’t being utilised, Mitro, Aaron’s bench warming along with mbemba. Ritchie is liked so much he even gets a starting role at LB against Chelsea. Complaints can be used about the squad but if the whole squad isn’t being used then you can have no complaints
Budge123
Dec 10, 2017 at 1:35 PM
Comment #104You know times are bad when the return of Dummett can’t come soon enough!
The main problem yesterday was that the ridiculous space on our right side was never addressed.
Management at any level is about reacting to what is in front of you and we didn’t.
Needs a big step up against Everton .
God help us when City turn up.
Our Toon
Dec 10, 2017 at 1:40 PM
Comment #105Nufc83
We dropped back into defensive mode after 15mins, well after when we scored, same against Chelsea, we pressed for 20mins and actually looked good but then sat back and got picked off. Players naturally drop off with 20mins remaining not with 15 to 20mins gone
Tsunki
Dec 10, 2017 at 1:40 PM
Comment #106Ron – somebody already did call for Rafa to be sacked and to get Pulis, it was yesterday. We have some serious problem characters on this blog 🙂
Tsunki
Dec 10, 2017 at 1:44 PM
Comment #107Zekalea well done for a sensible post, shame it was met with a “drivel” comment but unfortunately some posters can’t help but be irrationally insulting when you don’t confirm to their whiney twisted viewpoint. 🙂
Ron Knee
Dec 10, 2017 at 1:44 PM
Comment #108Tsunki
Most agreed this season was about survival in the PL. Well, this is what trying to survive looks like!
lesh
Dec 10, 2017 at 1:45 PM
Comment #109Jeeeeez
IAfter one lot of anti Rafa head-bangers put a night shift in, another lot pop up to carry on their campaign and spit out their vitriol.
And, a few new names have appeared to have joined the Rafa Out campaign – new posters, old posters using new names, Mackems or just good old fashioned narcissists?
No doubt the crew who did the night shift’ll pop up for the afternoon – albeit using their other names.
Tsunki
Dec 10, 2017 at 1:46 PM
Comment #110It seems simplistic but the return of Lascelles can’t come soon enough. It’s patently obvious he is the cohesive part of what was a solid defence, despite what some posters thought of his lack of suitability. It shows how fragile this squad is. Calling for u-23’s and fringe players to be used smacks of desperation.
Tinman
Dec 10, 2017 at 1:48 PM
Comment #111Haha Pulis.
Mind you Darren Fletcher would be a good buy for our midfield 😉
Munster Mag
Dec 10, 2017 at 1:49 PM
Comment #112Tinman, spot on. the time for rafa fawning has passed and we and those who asked questions of him before won’t be a slagged off as being negative. Like posada I am also beginning to wonder whether something is happening behind the scenes but rémains be seen, I think we are ok, just, on that front
Ron Knee
Dec 10, 2017 at 1:49 PM
Comment #113Tsunki
One of these days we’ll get a manager and squad ‘fit for purpose’ at the same time.
Tsunki
Dec 10, 2017 at 1:51 PM
Comment #114Ron unfortunately those of us who called it early aren’t as shell – shocked as the wet-pants brigade who want everyone to, Pulis in to steady the ship and Colback, Aaron’s and Mitrovic to vindicate their inclusion as they rescue us from the abyss.
Dead right, this is how reality feels when it smacks you on the ass. Unfortunately some feel the need to draw attention to themselves and because they once championed the likes of McLaren and Pardew they feel justified in sticking the boot into the only person at this club with the will and the wherewithal to see us through it. No mention by any of them of the guy pulling the strings on this debacle.
AncientC
Dec 10, 2017 at 1:55 PM
Comment #115https://www.transfermarkt.com/premier-league/startseite/wettbewerb/GB1
Newcastle has the 15th highest (or lowest if you prefer) squad value in the PL. Oddly enough that is where the side currently sits in the table, but the squad is better than 1 win in 11 games.
There is a big big gap between the value of a squad 15th highest in the PL, and the very highest in the championship. It’s not a Championship squad, it is just a lower rung PL squad.
Something is clearly off with the players. When Matt Ritchie starts playing like he is now—who is the consummate professional, it is symptomatic of deeper issues. Defence has completely to pot after the Man Utd game, Merino looks a different player to the one that was signed. Whatever is going on, it is Benitez’ job to solve it. It is far too simplistic to blame the squad. Arguably though, so long as the club sinks no lower than 15th, it is effectively punching its weight; although right now the form guide is telling us the future is bleak.
AncientC
Dec 10, 2017 at 1:55 PM
Comment #116*correction, sitting 16th for now.*
c-dog
Dec 10, 2017 at 2:19 PM
Comment #117@shitstains, good afternoon. See you’re trynna police the blog again. Doesn’t seem like anyone is paying any attention. You should just comment on NUFC matters rather than singling our blog users for no good reason. You come across very self righteous. A poor trait in any human. Anyway, did you scrub your nasty britches?
U.S Magpie
Dec 10, 2017 at 2:21 PM
Comment #118Morning Toon Army and some SMS fans ( Secret Mackem Supporters ) on here. This feels like every season, we praise the manager then we kill the manager, I did it yesterday by saying Rafa may be phucking this up to force one of two things from Ashley, either sell or give me money to keep us in the prem. So lets look at what we have available for a team. Goal: Darlow , Elliott, Woodman. Defenders. Clark, Dummett, Gámez, Haïdara, Lascelles, Lejeune, Manquillo, Mbemba, Sterry. Midfield: Aarons, Atsu, Colback, Diamé, Hayden, Merino, Ritchie, Saivet, Shelvey. Forwards: Gayle, Joselu, Mitrovi? , Jacob Murphy, Ayoze Pérez. So lets put my neck on the chopping block and put out my starting eleven, let the onslaught begin. Goal Elliot : Defense Lascelles , Mbemba , Gamez and Dummet: Midfield Murphy, Astu, Jonjo, Merino: Forwards Mitro main striker with Gayle playing off him. I feel Mitro needs a couple of starts, he cant be as bad as Joselu, look with a couple of starts it would either shut up some on here including myself or make some on here shout from the roof tops on how they told you so and he shouldn’t play for Newcastle. So until he gets a couple of starts to see what he can now, its a guessing game.