After the game last night Rafa was again asked about two big topics regarding Newcastle United.
The first is whether a takeover of the club is close to being completed – perhaps even this month.
Mike Ashley reported Monday night in a rare Sky Sports interview that he was in advanced talks with a potential buyer of the club.
Since then the Chronicle and others have reported there are four buyers looking at acquiring the club.
One in advanced negotiations is presumably the one led by Peter Kenyon who seems to have secured financing from the Rockefeller Capital Group.
The second question is whether we have already agreed a deal for 24-year-old Atlanta United playmaker Miguel Almiron with the Paraguayan International said to be keen to join Rafa Benitez at Newcastle.
A smiling and confident looking Rafa Benitez
Here’s what Rafa said about the takeover, making sure he gave nothing away:
“No, I told you two days ago.” “And today is the same – it is business as usual.”
“I don’t see any difference for us against Wolves or the next games.”
“If I don’t know – I don’t think so.”
Rafa is very keen to keep his players on track, and we need some wins before the end of the year which will only help Newcastle being sold.
And then the news from the US yesterday was that Almiron’s transfer to Newcastle United could have already been agreed in principle.
This is what Rafa said when asked about the talented Paraguayan International:
“Say again?” “Which one? I can’t hear you properly.” (yes he was smiling)
“You know I don’t like to talk about players.”
“Not now. Now is the time to enjoy a performance like this from this group of players.”
Rafa was naturally delighted with a gutsy and brave performance last night in the 1-1 draw at Everton – the lads were excellent.
If Newcastle can get the two deals over the line (the takeover and the Almiron transfer) – the fans could well be in football heaven.
Let’s all hope it all happens and please – as soon as possible.
Comments welcome.
Please help the needy at Christmas.
The website NEoffers.co.uk are running their Christmas campaign for the needy in the local Newcastle areas.,
Let’s see if we all can help more people in real need this Christmas and give people the greatest gift they will receive this year.
If you can do this it would be really appreciated – please give here.
72 comments so far
Reilly
Dec 6, 2018 at 12:09 PM
Comment #41Craig Hope
@CraigHope_DM
Understand NUFC do have a deal in place to sign Miguel Almiron but Rafa Benitez now faces wait to see if Mike Ashley will sanction the move (plus there is the complication of possible takeover)
RobLeenio
Dec 6, 2018 at 12:51 PM
Comment #42If you’re going to send your Head of Recruitment halfway round the World to speak to a player and his agent and the club he plays for, do you not first clear the parameters of the deal with Ashley? Surely, if the deal is agreed, Ashley just needs to rubber stamp it at this point, rather than having to actually sanction it.
I’m still not convinced with this lad, he has some lovely skills but physically he seems lightweight. I hope I’m proven wrong and I’ll welcome him enthusiastically when he arrives, but I remain to be convinced.
I’ll spare you all the promotion of Josef Martinez for once….
hibbit
Dec 6, 2018 at 12:59 PM
Comment #43just another red herring to add to the confusion 👿
RobLeenio
Dec 6, 2018 at 1:08 PM
Comment #44now, that one I like…
Jail for Ashley
Dec 6, 2018 at 1:16 PM
Comment #45Jiblets,
I reposted something of mine last year congratulating sparky55. Credir where it’s due. Like I said before, the Rafa is signing a new deal on Friday by DM was a complete shot in the dark, if it had of happened….. it didn’t, another pinch of salt regarding hospitality from DM last night. Why???
Jib
Dec 6, 2018 at 1:23 PM
Comment #46Jail
Sorry
I haven’t a scooby what you’re on about
lochinvar
Dec 6, 2018 at 1:37 PM
Comment #47Steve Clark has managed Killie to top of the Scottish Premiership
lochinvar
Dec 6, 2018 at 1:43 PM
Comment #48So Ashley’s PR machine grinds on.
Apparently he’s trying to help Kenyon raise the money he doesn’t have yet so isn’t in a position to buy the club but kind hearted Mike will let him have a peep at the books.
Takeover report suggests Mike Ashley has taken a decisive step to convince Peter Kenyon’s consortium to invest.
Newcastle United supporters are dreaming of a future without Mike Ashley at the helm and a recent report suggests the obnoxious owner is taking the necessary steps towards making that dream a reality.
The pre-match buildup before the Everton game was dominated by reports regarding a potential takeover, with Peter Kenyon one of four groups reportedly expressing a strong interest in completing a takeover exceeding £300 million
According to the Daily Mail, Ashley does not know if Kenyon has the necessary funds to complete a takeover, however, he has taken a vital step towards striking an agreement.
Indeed, the report claims that Ashley has given Kenyon ‘access to the club’s detailed accounts’, in order to help him drum up the required level of investment in the US.
‘It is thought the consortium Kenyon has been putting together could firm up their backing following analysis of Newcastle’s finances, and Ashley is hoping this proves to be the case.’
Whilst there remains plenty of reason for scepticism over the takeover reports, it would appear that Ashley is doing everything in his power to help Kenyon complete a successful takeover.
Whether Ashley’s decision to provide access to the club’s accounts proves to entice or dissuade potential investors to pump money into Newcastle United remains to be seen but, considering the enormity of the revenue created from the fan base and the enormous scope for potential at the club, investors have plenty of reason to make their interest concrete.
toon22
Dec 6, 2018 at 1:53 PM
Comment #49He’s no intention of selling
Same time of year as usual
Same lies
Jib
Dec 6, 2018 at 1:53 PM
Comment #50I thought Killingworth Town were in
only in the Northern Football Alliance
I didn’t realise they were in the SPL as well
DubaiMicky
Dec 6, 2018 at 1:54 PM
Comment #51Jail,
I’m loving g your jibes, please ignore this.
So I heard today that a Middle East individual was very close to a deal but, from the Arab side, they aren’t convinced ash wants to sell to them and his Sky comments suggests to them that he has a preferred bidder.
Time will tell, take it with a pinch of sand.
toon22
Dec 6, 2018 at 1:54 PM
Comment #52It’s almost exactly the same buyer but a bloke this time
No money looking for investors
Rings a bell don’t it lol
Online Guy
Dec 6, 2018 at 2:03 PM
Comment #53BettySwalloks
Taking the Piss out of a tragic serious of events and major catastrophe where near 2000 people lost their lives and I get USA air force plane flown in with vital search and rescue equipment and A team of medics from Bangladesh because of messages I was able to pick out of the ether, thus saving many Men, Women, and Children . You should hang your head in shame .
Your a child Bettysw.
Thanks Jib.
simon376
Dec 6, 2018 at 2:08 PM
Comment #54OLG
How long does it take to get qualified and how much does the equipment cost? Would love to try and experience it
RobLeenio
Dec 6, 2018 at 2:09 PM
Comment #55lochinvar at 47, doesn’t that have a reek of Kieth Bishop’s sweaty fingers all over it?
“All hail Lord Ashley, King of the Philanthropists.”
toon22
Dec 6, 2018 at 2:20 PM
Comment #56http://static2.uk.businessinsider.com/image/5756cf8b91058436008c73b6-1255/keith%20bishop%202.png
Obviously MA likes pretend buyers to not actually have the money,its easier to fob them off and look like its their fault.
Same lie as last year,for exactly the same reson
ronaldo aarons
Dec 6, 2018 at 2:23 PM
Comment #57Still don’t believe anything about takeover this season. Hallmarks for another disappointment.
Not sure how current suitors are further ahead than say stavely last year. Speaking of last year, Ashley was reportedly annoyed that it was played out in media. Fast forward one year, leaks takeover talk himself to the media.
Hmm. The almiron talk. Currently deal in place, waiting the go ahead by Ashley. He’ll give it the green light after his January holiday. I saw an article anyway saying that 17m euros is not near enough to buy him so not sure where this talk of £15m agreed fee has come from. Probably the same as talk back in summer saying we were buying Plea for £22m and Townsend for £17m.
toon22
Dec 6, 2018 at 2:25 PM
Comment #58If Newcastle United are not sold, only Mike Ashley is to blame for the storm it will unleash
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/12/06/newcastle-united-not-sold-mike-ashley-blame-storm-will-unleash/
Tick..Tock..Tick
DubaiMicky
Dec 6, 2018 at 2:29 PM
Comment #59Ronald, they wouldn’t talk euros there would they. Dollar is king.
ronaldo aarons
Dec 6, 2018 at 2:34 PM
Comment #60Dubai
Euros dollars, can’t remember. Just saw the article yesterday with figure 17m and not being enough just after the reports of an agreed £15m fee.
AncientC
Dec 6, 2018 at 2:35 PM
Comment #61https://twitter.com/Corbynator2/status/1070359706395394048
Dennis Skinner was laying into Mike Ashley again yesterday. Love it.
AncientC
Dec 6, 2018 at 2:40 PM
Comment #62I don’t know how Mike Ashley could have been annoyed with Staveley going public, it was Ashley that went public about Staveley first; obviously via KBA to Sky Sports.
ronaldo aarons
Dec 6, 2018 at 2:40 PM
Comment #63On a more serious note, what is exactly going to happen should a takeover fail to materialise? I just see it playing out as usual, angry fans at first for a few days then disunited fans in how to force Ashley out. Then business as usual, 50,000 fans turn up every other week, few chants here or there and then future promises of turmoil for Ashley if he fails to invest or sell by the next transfer window.
As you can tell I’m in quite a pessimistic mood today!
ronaldo aarons
Dec 6, 2018 at 2:50 PM
Comment #64Ancient
He also said it was a waste of his time when he spent most of Jan on holiday!
RobLeenio
Dec 6, 2018 at 2:50 PM
Comment #65$25 Million is roughly £20 Million. Factor in a loan fee of £5 Million, with a balance to pay of £15M if the option to buy is exercised, then the figures stack up.
I’m sure it’s not as simple as that, but that’s one example of how this deal could work and reconciles the difference between last week’s valuation and this week’s claimed deal.
Jib
Dec 6, 2018 at 2:54 PM
Comment #66Xmas tree is up
Mister Tuff
Dec 6, 2018 at 2:55 PM
Comment #67The Kenyon link has been out a couple of months now.
Strange that no reporters have confronted him to get at least get a “no comment”.
Jib
Dec 6, 2018 at 3:02 PM
Comment #68The beast of bolsover is in good nick for 86
Still spouts shite I see.
DubaiMicky
Dec 6, 2018 at 3:05 PM
Comment #69Dennis Skinner, even though I disagree with his politics, I believe what he says.
ronaldo aarons
Dec 6, 2018 at 3:15 PM
Comment #70Peter Kenyon is the opposite to Keyser Soze. He has old stock images but nobody has seen or met him. They hear about him but never speak to him. His circle spend their time telling the world he exists when he is a figment of someone’s imagination.
Oldgit1
Dec 6, 2018 at 3:18 PM
Comment #71@ ancientC love this guy, Denise Skinner rules ok. Every party has their characters but Denise is a one off.
Jib
Dec 6, 2018 at 3:28 PM
Comment #72Is denise skinner’s sister ?