The representatives of Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, who is reported to have reached an agreement with Mike Ashley to buy Newcastle for £350M say the new owner wants Rafa Benitez to stay at the club.
But there have been other reports particularly a tweet from Pete Graves of Sky Sports that revealed Rafa Benitez had been left in the dark about the takeover.
That could well be possible since it’s Mike Ashley – so he could have been negotiating with Rafa and then with the Sheikh and not say anything to Benitez about potentially selling the club
But we also see no reason why Rafa wouldn’t be offered a new contract by the Sheikh – once the deal to buy Newcastle is completed.
The potential new owner said to be “very keen” to keep Rafa Benitez at Newcastle
The Mail has reported this today:
“The representatives also insisted that the prospective new owner is very keen to keep Rafa Benitez as manager of the club.”
“And that the takeover is expected to be done in time for this summer’s transfer window.”
If the Sun was right that signed contracts between the two parties have already been sent to the Premier League then the deal could complete soon.
But then the news from the club is there’s still a considerable distance to be covered before a deal is concluded.
What’s important is how that considerable distance translates – in terms of time.
It seems the Sheikh has agreed the deal with Ashley and the main thing now is for the Premier League to bless the deal and the new owner.
What we are hoping for is the Sheikh buys the club quickly so Rafa can start moving after his transfer targets.
If the deal goes through Rafa’s likely to have ample funds to spend to build up the team for next season – that would be a first at Newcastle for him.
The 61-year-old Sheikh is well respected in business circles and has always been a fan of English football and has wanted to own a Premier League football club for many years.
His business acumen will stand him in good stead, and it will be interesting to see who he brings in to run the club on the executive and financial side of things.
But it seems he has made a good choice in his attempts to acquire Newcastle United.
Let’s hope the deal goes through very quickly.
Comments welcome.
117 comments so far
lochinvar
May 27, 2019 at 4:20 PM
Comment #81Oops 2-0 apparently
DaveD1000
May 27, 2019 at 4:21 PM
Comment #82yup he came out all confident and missed it looks like Villa have it
GeordieTwo
May 27, 2019 at 4:21 PM
Comment #83Chubbley: “hello Rafa? Chubbley here. Now keep this under your hat mate but Mike has just phoned me and he says there is strong interest from the Middle East in buying the club. Ssshhhhh! Don’t scream that out loud!!!! This is all TOP TOP Secret!!!! Yes all right then, you can tell your daughters but whatever you do don’t phone the journo’s! And don’t answer any calls from journo’s! And don’t go outside your house! And don’t smile and nod and do a thumbs up at the window!!! I’ll get back to you…”
DubaiMicky
May 27, 2019 at 4:21 PM
Comment #84Needs spending then NY dontcha think?
Online Guy
May 27, 2019 at 4:22 PM
Comment #85This from last Wednesday…
Peter Kenyon was used to flush out a buyer .
We had been talking about Kenyon for 6 weeks or so here and in the media and I was making further inquires when I was asked …
…” Are your friends in the (middle east royal family ) interested “?
My answer ” They are aware , we have discussed it, and if they want to take it further then their legal team will make representation ”
With the question I was asked I knew at that moment that there was no serious buyer that ticked all the boxes for Ash , at least, heart sank, but also knew at that moment that Ashley was trying to sell up.
I wrote the above out with more info but have had to edit it for various reasons ..can’t even say why but it’s straight up lads.
martoon
May 27, 2019 at 4:22 PM
Comment #86DaveD1000 @74 – That’s a good way of putting it – I’d agree I’m probably at about 51% believing it also 😉
NY Mag
May 27, 2019 at 4:25 PM
Comment #87Micky,
Would be nice 😀
Reilly
May 27, 2019 at 4:29 PM
Comment #88Telegraph Football
@TeleFootball
· 8m
Claims, counter-claims and denials create confusion as Newcastle United takeover edges closer | @LukeEdwardsTele
(link: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/05/27/claims-counter-claims-denials-create-confusion-newcastle-united/) telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/…
carltoon
May 27, 2019 at 4:31 PM
Comment #89that Benitos is going to give Schar a run for his money in the looks department. we will have the best looking defence in the league. hope he plays as good as he looks.
beermonkey
May 27, 2019 at 4:31 PM
Comment #90With our new found wealth will hayden stay or will he go
Even with the a few decent additions with Rafa we could have a crack at the league cup
jane
May 27, 2019 at 4:34 PM
Comment #91at least the uncertainty with Rafa and the take-over isn’t stopping the club signing players 😐
jane
May 27, 2019 at 4:35 PM
Comment #92does that tell us anything?
lesh
May 27, 2019 at 4:36 PM
Comment #93Optimistic Panda
Thanks for the heads up – no pun intended – about cbd etc. Enlightening.
You might be interested in Vape Green’s site – they’re in the UK and sell organic liquids. I suspect postage might be cheaper than meetharmony. They ship very quickly, first class too.
jane
May 27, 2019 at 4:38 PM
Comment #94Derby goal come-back is on
Ron Knee
May 27, 2019 at 4:38 PM
Comment #952-1
SPRINGY
May 27, 2019 at 4:49 PM
Comment #96If the derby players learned not to be so ball greedy and pass more they would probs get back level….so many times today greedy players looking to be the hero.
martoon
May 27, 2019 at 4:55 PM
Comment #97Wise words from Mark Douglas
Mark Douglas Verified account @MsiDouglas 14m14 minutes ago
So sources close to the buyer say it’s done. But they did w/ Staveley and others.
It’s when Ashley sources – who usually deny – start saying the same we can start dreaming. Which is ironic given most people have (falsely) felt takeover stories have been made up by Ashley. #nufc
Mindshaft
May 27, 2019 at 4:55 PM
Comment #98Sadly as somebody already mentioned, Derby had too many wannabee heroes and wasted the chance to draw level – shame Villa back in prem – Grealish is such a horrible person
Reilly
May 27, 2019 at 5:02 PM
Comment #99Statement from Bin Zayed Group:
“In response to numerous reports in the media this morning, we would like to comment as follows.
“We can confirm the representatives of Sheikh Khaled Bin Zayed Al Nahyan are in discussions with Mike Ashley regarding the acquisition of #nufc.”
Chancel My MBembaship
May 27, 2019 at 5:03 PM
Comment #100Lampard messed up not starting Jack Marriott. He’s a young manager though, he’ll learn from stuff like this. Who knows, he could end up in the Premier League anyway if Sarri gets the boot and Abramovich goes with what some of the fans want.
Reilly
May 27, 2019 at 5:03 PM
Comment #101It continues: “We view it as an honour to have the opportunity to build on the strong support, history and tradition of the club. “We have agreed terms and are working hard to complete the transaction at the earliest opportunity.”
Lovem or Hatem
May 27, 2019 at 5:04 PM
Comment #102Was there sources close to Staveley that said it was done (with her takeover)?
Can’t remember. Can anyone confirm there was sources stating Staveley takeover was done?
sing in the corner
May 27, 2019 at 5:05 PM
Comment #103Derby left it a bit late to start playing football. And in the next they were lacking that bit of composure either with the final ball or to take the chances they did create.
sing in the corner
May 27, 2019 at 5:07 PM
Comment #104Reilly @99 &101
Oh yesssss. I think it is happening then!!
Permission to get excited now!!!?
Novocastrian66
May 27, 2019 at 5:08 PM
Comment #105Where did you see that Reilly?
TyneMouth
May 27, 2019 at 5:08 PM
Comment #106**Is Rafa in the dark regarding the takeover?**
I would be utterly, utterly gobsmaked if Rafa isn’t part of the package!
Ask yourself; If NUFC is worth £xxxm, how much are they worth without a manager?
…especially if that manager is Rafa. ( with only 34 days left on his contract)
It’s inconceivable that any serious buyer would contemplate buying a football club without its football brain.
Rafa has to be part of the package.
The negotiations are probably complicated because of Rafa’s contract.
It would be a similar situation if ten years ago, Apple computer tried to sell the company, without Steve Jobs!
sing in the corner
May 27, 2019 at 5:09 PM
Comment #107..with the caveat: the devil in Ashley will want to have one final lash at the fans, no doubting that.
Reilly
May 27, 2019 at 5:09 PM
Comment #108Newcastle takeover close to completion with ‘terms agreed’
(link: https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/9164187/newcastle-sale-terms-agreed-sheikh-khaled-mike-ashley/?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=sunfootballtwitter&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1558972663) thesun.co.uk/sport/football…
BenArfa the magician
May 27, 2019 at 5:11 PM
Comment #109“In response to numerous reports in the media this morning, we would like to comment as follows.
“We can confirm the representatives of Sheikh Khaled Bin Zayed Al Nahyan are in discussions with Mike Ashley regarding the acquisition of #nufc.”
“We view it as an honour to have the opportunity to build on the strong support, history and tradition of the club.
“We have agreed terms and are working hard to complete the transaction at the earliest opportunity.
Lee Ryder
?
Verified account
@lee_ryder
1m1 minute ago
More
#nufc say the statement from Bin Zayed Group is genuine but refuse to comment further.
BenArfa the magician
May 27, 2019 at 5:12 PM
Comment #110Wow this actually happening??????
sing in the corner
May 27, 2019 at 5:12 PM
Comment #111INSHALLAH!!!
Legolas
May 27, 2019 at 5:15 PM
Comment #112I hate Villa and wish Derby had won but I will settle for the mackums losing and us being bought buy the rich bloke.
yogz69
May 27, 2019 at 5:17 PM
Comment #113Can’t believe we’re gonna be rid of that fat cockney prick
Gosforthlad
May 27, 2019 at 5:18 PM
Comment #114The chronicle are running the same links and the sun statement for tomorrow
Not sure why they would send a letter to the sun journos like
Just seems a lot coming out from Middle East , thought all these deals were top secret until done
Unless it’s a done deal……….we live in hope
Munster Mag
May 27, 2019 at 5:19 PM
Comment #115Great Post Reilly!
Shoulders knees
May 27, 2019 at 5:21 PM
Comment #11655% believing now.
TyneMouth
May 27, 2019 at 5:21 PM
Comment #117Should all these Careless Whispers be true, this will have been a wonderful day!
Enjoy today, it’s later than you think.
This should be the day you will always remember, the day to tell your grandkids about.
Ps… If it all goes tips up, well we’ve been there before, move on, thank your lucky stars we’re not Su****land…
Always look on the bright side of life. Abba Dubai Doo…
Boo Boo…