There appears to be at least 5 different buyers that are reported interested in buying Newcastle United, and we knew that negotiations with Dubai Investment Capital (DIC), had already started in earnest over the weekend.
- Dubai Investment Capital (DIC), the investment arm of the Dubai Government, has been in discussions with Liverpool about a possible takeover for almost 18 months now, but the deal has continually bogged down by the intransigence of American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks.
But DIC seem determined to complete the purchase of a Premier League football club since their rivals Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG) completed their takeover recently of Manchester City.
Tony Jimenez is reported to be over there right now in negotiations with this Group. Ashley is sadi to be willing to sell for around £270M, and it is hoped that a formal offer may be lodged within the next week.
- Reliance Communications is owned by Anil Ambani and they have also been interested, but presumably pulled out last week because of the turmoil at the club, but don’t be at all surprised if they come right back in, now that the club is formally up for sale,
Anil Ambani is the sixth-richest man in the world, and it is being reported that in fact Reliance are still extremely keen to purchase Newcastle United, and their reported pull-out was simply a ploy in the negotiating business that goes on at this level.
They are very clear that Kevin Keegan, reinstated as manager, will quickly calm things down at the club – almost instantaneously.
- Chinese businessman Xu Rongmao, as we reported is also spearheading another consortium currently looking at buying the club.
Rongmao, who is one of only ten confirmed Chinese billionaires, is the founder and chairman of Shimao Group, one of the largest property development groups based in Shanghai.
- Over the weekend, there were also suggestions that a North-Eastern consortium was looking to buy out Ashley with the help of supporters. However, while a number of wealthy North-Easterners have been sounded out about a potential takeover, any formal grouping remains at a very early stage of development.
But that is still a possibility, which will sit well with fans, as long as some investment in new players is available.
- And there are reports this morning that former Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, of all people, may be interested in buying Newcastle United. Bill is one of the best Businessmen in the world, and certainly takes a global view, and perhaps he has himself started to watch the Premier League games on the TV over here, which are proving very popular.
We suppose Bill would buy the club out of his own personal fortune, since he left Microsoft recently and now concentrates on philanthropy and doing some great work in Africa and other places of need with his wife Melinda, with The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The thing we need at the club very quickly is stability, and that was seen to be sorely missing on Saturday against Hull City. Indeed there are reports that Shay Given lost it in the dressing room after the game, because the players themselves have been told nothing of what’s going on.
In the current state the club is in, it’s hard to see us winning many games until a new buyer is in with a new manager, which we all hope will be Kevin Keegan.
So once that can be completed that process, there will be some instant stability, but it must be done quickly, so this season isn’t yet another throwaway – we MUST get back into Europe for next season.
Comments welcome.
115 comments so far
Nick 69
Sep 15, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Comment #81bill gates is actually now only 3rd richest man in world, behind warren buffet and carlos slim, poor b*stard slippin to 3rd eh, must be skint
Nick 69
Sep 15, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Comment #82u know i actually read this thing once and if bill gates wanted to take all his money out the bank, there is not physically enough money on the whole of the usa to give him it, and that if you piled his money up in 1 dollar notes it would reach higher than a concorde flies,
LETS ALL HAVE A XISCO, LETS ALL HAVE A XISCO, LALALALA!!!(GG7)
Sep 15, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Comment #83times must be hard for bill then
Lost Prophet
Sep 15, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Comment #84I don’t know what everyones crowing about. No one’s a winner here. ONCE MORE we are in the news for all the wrong reasons. So he has decided to sell, this could run for weeks, months, or even longer. Still managerless and who would come when the club is up for sale? So we soldier on with the current deputy and who suffers? US! The team are not performing and you think the current situation will fill them with confidence? If they continue to play the way we did on saturday we could end up being relagated, still up for sale and no Owen, Given or any other quality pro at the club. I hope this is sorted ASAP because if it’s not god help us.
LETS ALL HAVE A XISCO, LETS ALL HAVE A XISCO, LALALALA!!!(GG7)
Sep 15, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Comment #85nick 69. i can do that with my change left over from a saturday night
HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES
Sep 15, 2008 at 1:00 PM
Comment #86LP – WORRING!!!!
HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES
Sep 15, 2008 at 1:02 PM
Comment #87the arab guy is on ssn now!! TV
Ally
Sep 15, 2008 at 1:06 PM
Comment #88he said if Ashley had of been more responsive then the Abu Dhabis would of bought us! B*tard
HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES
Sep 15, 2008 at 1:06 PM
Comment #89his name is Anil Bhoyrul
Michael12
Sep 15, 2008 at 1:12 PM
Comment #90@Entertainers: All I am pointing out is that, if an investor is going to splash £250 – 400 Million of his / her own money taking all the financial risk because let us face it, it is all goes wrong they are the ones with the massive hole in their pockets and the liability is upon them alone.
Surely if taking the full risk that is Newcastle, they should be able to autonomously implement a structure to the club without us very knowledgeable and business savvy fans telling what to do and who to hire and further, how much the budgets should be.
We have agreed that throwing money at a club does not bring success. If it does then it is inefficient success.
Ross
Sep 15, 2008 at 1:15 PM
Comment #91why the bloody hell would we want bill gates buying our club!?
“80 million dollars, pounds i mean, (Sorry kev, you’re the gaaaffer, heh)…ahem…80 million soccer pounds to YOU, los angeles, for dayvid beckhaahm”
listie
Sep 15, 2008 at 1:15 PM
Comment #92SSN are saying that DIC are not after any prem club
Lost Prophet
Sep 15, 2008 at 1:39 PM
Comment #93HPL.
Why are you worrying? You were the most vociferous in you demands for Ashley’s departure, Well he’s going and all these dereams of Arab billionaires and Microsoft magnates are just that – dreams. At this rate we will end up with fat freddie and a consortium on a shoe-string.
Micky Toon
Sep 15, 2008 at 1:44 PM
Comment #94I must admit I am worried about a Fat Freddy return. He would try and get back at MA and demand he sell back for less than he bought.
xfer
Sep 15, 2008 at 1:44 PM
Comment #951. Anbami
2. DIC
3. Gates (dont believe he is interested)
Marty
Sep 15, 2008 at 1:49 PM
Comment #96ED,are you dreaming?????
(We must get into europe next season)Eternal Optimist.
We must stay in the PL more like it,i`d say 14th place as this is all gonna take a while to settle.
Cancel this season out now as its a shambles,No smiles.
Marty
Marty
Sep 15, 2008 at 1:51 PM
Comment #97Typical DONEGAL IRISHMAN LOSING the head in the dressing room eh!
Good on ya SHAY,at least our boys care.
ANDYGLOSTOON
Sep 15, 2008 at 2:25 PM
Comment #98HA!THIS IS JUST LIKE THE TRANSFER MARKET AGAIN ,MOST OF YOU WITH YOUR HEADS IN THE CLOUDS ,I FEEL THERE IS GOING TO BE A LOT OF DISAPOINTED PEOPLE SOON, PETER RIDGEDALE’S ON HIS WAY! LOL
Toon_Ksk
Sep 15, 2008 at 3:00 PM
Comment #99I only worry that the Indian billionaire will turn out to be a stingy fella and I have my reasons to believe so.
DIC for me, Arabs are extravagant and generous. However, I don’t believe that they are really interested in us. Their interest lies in Liverpool.
graeme
Sep 15, 2008 at 3:38 PM
Comment #100Guys, DIC came out and said they were not chasing or in discussions with ANY football club. That was on the internet lastnight and all over the place this morning. They wont be looking at us then!!!!!
As long as Ashley is honest with the potential buyer(s) there is no reason this should drag on for months. I guess it depends on what he is actually looking to get for NUFC!!!!!
KeeGone
Sep 15, 2008 at 3:51 PM
Comment #101Anyone looking forward to the half time entertainment for the rest of the season. juggling, trapeze, and lion taming. I was in the disney store this morning and they are selling NUFC watches. Mickey’s wearing one in the window. bum bum crash.
JC
Sep 15, 2008 at 4:11 PM
Comment #102Bill Gates Yes. Such a load of s##t.
Frankiboy
Sep 15, 2008 at 5:31 PM
Comment #103Given the current climate Netto would do for me.
Most of those would pump in the cash and have KK back in within days.
Thump
Sep 15, 2008 at 5:37 PM
Comment #104So here I am, looking down the list and then I see Bill Gates.
Who the f.uck reported that?
Dondatta13
Sep 15, 2008 at 5:49 PM
Comment #105DIC would be nice. They have an intense rivalry with the lot that purchased Man City …
That would mean alot of brinkmanship with one trying to “out do” the other! The rollercoaster that is NUFC would hit an all time high IMO.
If the DIC decide that they are not interested then I think Ambani would be a great owner (Just a gut feeling).
I however would not want the local consortium. The reason being I feel the wealth needed to be competitive in the Premiership would be too much for a local group.
Lets have DIC or Ambani then the big five would become the big SIX!!!!
Dondatta13
Sep 15, 2008 at 5:53 PM
Comment #106Someone asked how rich the DIC lot are ….
Im not too sure, however I did get this paragraph from Wiki (yes I know anyone can edit it) Well here it is …
Dubai International Capital, is one of a few large companies also known as the Dubai Fund, which is made up of companies sponsored by Sovereign wealth fund’s.[1] The three largest Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds — defined by the Department of the Treasury as “government investment vehicles funded by foreign exchange assets, which manage those assets separately from official reserves” include Abu Dhabi, with $875 billion, Saudi Arabia, with $300 billion, and Kuwait, with $250 billion, according to data from Morgan Stanley
All I know is thats “a silly amount of money” thats been talked about there.
VanCanToonFan
Sep 15, 2008 at 8:16 PM
Comment #107No bloody way that Sage is in the running to buy the club. I realize that Sage is based in Newcastle, but I am familiar with the company, and they are not in the business of vanity purchases. If they can’t turn a profit on it, and it looks like no one will for a long time, there’s no way they would be interested.
frustrated
Sep 15, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Comment #108all these comments about which mega-rich sugar daddy to sell out to are depressing and ignore the wealth that could be generated by 50,000 – 100,000 united fans.
Why not unite and use that power.
Hobs
Sep 16, 2008 at 5:57 PM
Comment #109What we could expect if Bill Gates buy the club:
-Jerry Seinfeld beeing the staduim speaker.
-Tickets can only be purchased through the MSN network. Access denied if your Windows is not activated
-NUFC.co.uk only working in IE6+ and with Windows Vista SP2
-You will have to read and agree to an 85 page license before you are allowed into the stadium.
-You will face multiple warnings at your way into the stadium about if you are “really” sure that you want to enter.
-When you look at any NUFC match on tv, you will be asked if you want to purchase a ticket for very match.
-Any youngster that try and copy a dribble made by a newcastle player will be prosecuted.
-When ever a talentet youngster start to mature at the club he wil be told that he is too old and that he will now be replaced by a new “better” player, that turns out to be awful.
-The sea horses on the club badge will be replaced by the MSN butterfly. The Black and white shield will be replaced by the round Vista logo. The lion and tower on top of the badge will be replaced by (c), (r) and ™
The blue name banner will now contain copyright instructions.
-The club will change it’s name to Windows Live Football (soccer in the us)
-Club shirts will become light blue with some strange green pattern.
-Players are not allowed to give away free kicks in fear of kids around the world starting to tackle each other and bereak each others legs.
-All matches will end as boring 0-0 draws.
-The club will sign many very expensive players, and insist on using them, even thou there are many free alternatives that are better.
Robbo
Sep 16, 2008 at 7:18 PM
Comment #110Here’s an idea what about Mike Ashley going on Dragons Den and asking for 250m for the club with 50m a year for transfers. Would love to see the pitch!
Ian
Sep 16, 2008 at 10:20 PM
Comment #111You’re a cockney liar. I’m out!
Sav
Sep 17, 2008 at 12:51 AM
Comment #112MUST get into Europe??? Ed, are you mad?
Forget it mate.
We will be very, very lucky to survive this season, that’s a fact.
Look at us, man…. Who would manage us? Apart from the fact that any candidate must, it seems, be a mate of Wise, whom, other than the rank mercenary , the desperate and the terminally jobless would even consider coming to a club where the regime has been pilloried and ridiculed across the newspapers and by the LMA. To top that off, the candidate is on a hiding to nothing on the pitch at least until January and knowing that the owner is actively seeking to sell up.
Bowey
Sep 17, 2008 at 7:32 PM
Comment #113Bill Gates wont buy us. The most likely outcome is that ambani or DIC buy us. Even though we are not in talks with any of them and both have Declined any interest in buying us out.
osdad
Sep 23, 2008 at 8:36 AM
Comment #114hahaha, is it true nigerian investor are interested buying this club?
toonarmie
Dec 25, 2008 at 8:39 PM
Comment #115what happed to the buyers? is there any news?