Martin Samuel, who famously interviewed Mike Ashley this summer after Rafa Benitez left Newcastle, has written an article in the Daily Mail about the latest takeover claims to hit Tyneside.
The report mainly asks the question of why the Saudis would need Amanda Staveley to close a £340m deal when they are worth £300bn. Samuel cites the last takeover attempt involving Staveley which Mike Ashley claimed was a complete waste of time.
He even brings up a quote from his summer interview with Ashley in which the Newcastle owner stated the following:
“The reality with these deals is that once it gets out, if it’s not done, it’s probably not going to get done,’ he said in the summer. ‘The day someone buys Newcastle, it will happen like Manchester City. By the time the media find out, it’s already complete.
“The last bid, the one from the UAE, he’s a prince, and he’s got £38billion or £100bn, all these numbers — well, why would you even care what you’re paying? What difference would £10m either way make?
“You would want speed, you would want certainty, you would want the keys and to get on with it.”
So Samuel asks why the Saudi Crown Prince is bothering to involve both Staveley’s PCP Capital and the Reuben brothers, who reportedly will be each funding 10% with the Saudi’s Private Investment Fund providing 80% of the funds.
He also questions why this has reached the press at this stage if a deal is so close. He never really gives an answer to any of his questions but instead leaves them open-ended.
However, the relevant part of Samuel’s article is that he does not deny the deal is close. This is what he writes:
Still, there is increasing optimism that a deal can be completed, perhaps as early as this week — although it seems strange that, with so much money to invest, there was no urgency around the transfer window — and maybe this time Staveley’s consortium has the money.
The fact that a journalist who Ashley trusts is also reporting that a deal could be close is a reason for some optimism.
However, we’ve been here before so caution is the best option until there is confirmation that a takeover has been achieved.
105 comments so far
FloridaToon(SDFC)
Jan 28, 2020 at 2:43 AM
Comment #1If it doesn’t happen we can look forward to MA saying “When you are worth 300bn, they have all that money, what’s 100mil either way”
JP...from The Rock
Jan 28, 2020 at 3:07 AM
Comment #2Floridatoon- that’s what scares me, AshLie’s greed knows no bounds. The twat could quite easily scupper this marvellous opportunity for all involved.
Novocastrian66
Jan 28, 2020 at 3:10 AM
Comment #3Maybe Ashley is fuming because he has just found out who is funding the deal and he feels he could have held out for more. Maybe the deal is too far gone for him to pull out.
As for Martin Samuel, who knows nothing about everything, the reason why a crown prince would use a third party to broker the deal would be to prevent the price being inflated as surely it would once it was known who the main financier is. Can you imagine if he got in touch with Ashley directly as the genius Samuel suggests? Ashley would double the asking price. By using a broker he will have a modicum or control. Samuel even quotes Ashley’s view on the summer’s failed deal when he questioned what difference would another £10m make to someone as wealthy as BZG.
The next Mike Williamson
Jan 28, 2020 at 3:33 AM
Comment #4say what you want about ashley but hes nothing compared to these saudis.
The next Mike Williamson
Jan 28, 2020 at 3:39 AM
Comment #5but if they pay for us to be better ill not complain about the things they do
jazzyp
Jan 28, 2020 at 3:55 AM
Comment #6Can anyone point to any solid evidence that a Takeover is actually happening????
Or is it got as much belief as the Fakeover of seasons gone by.
Assassins Inc
Jan 28, 2020 at 4:47 AM
Comment #7Well Mike it’s about about ten million here or ten million there, if your selling the club for 350 Million and they agree to the price don’t fcuk it up by moving the goal posts, just sell the fcuking club for 360 Million you IDJIT.
DubaiMicky
Jan 28, 2020 at 4:47 AM
Comment #8Are we bought yet?
Assassins Inc
Jan 28, 2020 at 4:47 AM
Comment #9Advertise that price simpleton.
toon22
Jan 28, 2020 at 4:56 AM
Comment #10Won’t believe it until after it’s happened
13 years of lies isn’t so easily forgotten
jazzyp
Jan 28, 2020 at 5:18 AM
Comment #11Been told by a sauce that brown sauce was told by red sauce that soccer sauce has been led to believe that a Fakeover is going to happen.
There ya go lads…A tuesday exclusive that has about as much merit as all the bullshite flying around at the moment
The next Mike Williamson
Jan 28, 2020 at 6:10 AM
Comment #12god this virus in asia is bad
The next Mike Williamson
Jan 28, 2020 at 6:13 AM
Comment #13i think its a lot worse than we realise
The next Mike Williamson
Jan 28, 2020 at 6:16 AM
Comment #14im not allowed to go back to china
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Jan 28, 2020 at 6:33 AM
Comment #15Thinking about the leak and the takeover, assuming it’s TRUE and judging by what’s being said I’d guess Stavley leaked the info.
I’m guessing the deal is pretty much agreed, I’ve read Ashley wants a non refundable percentage paid up front incase a deal falls through.
I reckon the leak was a put up or shut up, if you’re selling sell.
That’s why he’s so annoyed, he’s been beaten at his own game, Stavely has pulled his pants down and is currently choosing between cane whip or cat n nine tales.
It’s the only thing that adds up to me, probably well wide of the mark mind.
Dingo†®
Jan 28, 2020 at 6:42 AM
Comment #16The Premier League could yet object to the takeover of Newcastle
LYNNE CAMERON/EPA
The proposed £340 million takeover of Newcastle United by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund could yet meet opposition from the Premier League over alleged state-sponsored TV piracy.
Yesterday a European Commission report accused Saudi Arabia of “causing considerable harm to EU businesses” and it follows a complaint by the Premier League, among other sports governing bodies, about the alleged Saudi involvement in the pirate TV broadcaster BeoutQ showing content from the Qatar-based Bein Sports, seen as part of the ongoing diplomatic conflict between the two gulf states.
There will be no official comment from the Premier League until they receive notification from St James’ Park that negotiations have reached an advanced stage. But one Premier League insider told The Times yesterday that a takeover funded by the Saudi Royal family would present an “interesting challenge” given the present political climate.
Last July, English football’s top flight joined forces with Fifa, Uefa and the other big European leagues in calling on the Saudi government to take “swift and decisive action” against BeoutQ, which since 2017 has been stealing content from Bein Sports and selling it to customers for a fraction of the price.
Bein Sports boasts the world’s biggest sports rights portfolio — at a value of more than £12 billion — but the Saudi piracy activity has already forced the broadcaster to cut 18 per cent of its staff and drop certain sports.
The EC report says Saudi Arabia’s enforcement of intellectual property rights “features serious shortcomings”.
The report adds: “An allegedly Saudi operator called BeoutQ currently makes available — without authorisation — content belonging to EU sport event organisers and EU right holders in the territory of Saudi Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa as well as in the EU. Saudi Arabia has reportedly not taken sufficient steps to stop the infringement despite the fact that the satellite services of BeoutQ are being transmitted by the satellite of the partly state-owned Arabsat.”
Whether the situation could become relevant to the Premier League’s owners’ and directors’ test remains to be seen. In 2017 the rules were changed to extend to “conduct outside the United Kingdom that would constitute an offence”.
yogz69
Jan 28, 2020 at 6:43 AM
Comment #17Op we all know Ashley’s a cat o nine kinda guy
JP...from The Rock
Jan 28, 2020 at 7:10 AM
Comment #18Dingo- typical Newcastle luck for them to change the rules in 2017 and it now comes to bite us in the arse!
Please, please, please let this time be the time AshLie fcuks off!
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Jan 28, 2020 at 7:11 AM
Comment #19I’ve been reading a bit of the Amnesty international stuff on Saudi regarding sport, F1 race in 2023 gets a lot of coverage.
Theres lots of condemnation for Saudi and MBS but I’ve not seen much support.
I wonder how many have thought of the complications involved in changing a countries culture or mindset.
We can’t expect a country to change over night and it must start somewhere.
It may not be quick enough for someone but radical change overnight doesn’t work, look at India after world war 2.
Nufc will always be beaten with a stick by certain parts of the media, I’d rather support someone who wants to change for the better than berate them over their past.
If he’s serious about bringing Saidi into line with the rest of the world he’s welcome to buy NUFC
Bambams
Jan 28, 2020 at 7:12 AM
Comment #20The one positive, if you believe what has been said, is the 6 year advertising deal for Ash
He knows if we are taken over AND by a Mega mega Wealthy Prince from the Middle East….
His brand will get showcased around the world for a long 6 years.
It’s for this reason alone I think he will be tempted to sell this time.
DubaiMicky
Jan 28, 2020 at 7:14 AM
Comment #21Bambams I concur, surely it’s a no-brainer – even more advertising across a wider audience and all for free!
Tramp
Jan 28, 2020 at 7:19 AM
Comment #22My favourite time of year! It’s fakeover season and to commemorate, as is now annual tradition in my house this evening my family will be cooking the fakeover dish I have dubbed,
Pie in The Sky served with a Leaked Source.
Bon Appétit!
stan anderson
Jan 28, 2020 at 7:36 AM
Comment #23I am doubting this now.
Feel it’s the biggest hoax he has pulled yet.
He knows how to hurt the gullible fans.
Fat Tw-t get out of our club please.
cockneymafiaout
Jan 28, 2020 at 7:50 AM
Comment #24As much as this is tosh, it brings about an interesting topic of conversation amongst Newcastle fans again every 6 months or so. I am pleased to see that the majority of Newcastle fans are not falling in the trap of falling for it and maybe we are learning not to be so naive after all.
JohnJ
Jan 28, 2020 at 7:50 AM
Comment #25The thing is we all want rid of Ashley and we all hope for a new mega rich owner to come along and buy our Football Club!
We all want Newcastle United to complete with Liverpool, Man United, Man City etc etc………
But in reality, we have absolutely zero chance of changing things as they are today. unless there’s a mega rich entrepreneur in our ranks and I’m had that been the case he/she would have appeared long before now!
So sadly we sit here in no man’s land waiting for the Genie to come out of his lamp and give us our three wishes!
1. Get rid of Mr Michael Ashley!
2. Bring a new wealthy owner to our football club!
3. Let become a successful football club and win all the prizes going!!!
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Jan 28, 2020 at 7:51 AM
Comment #26Takeover or no takeover – and the revelation that the FA might not pass it due to TV rights
is it not with interest first to both sides for the future of what league we play in and deal no deal…
To BUY a goalscorer this window
cockneymafiaout
Jan 28, 2020 at 7:54 AM
Comment #27Also I noticed Ed put a timeline on this week for any deal to be completed. I agree that it’s at least some consolation that we only have to put up with this floating story for a few more days. If the story is still going after Friday and people are still falling for it then that is the sheer peak of naivety.
hibbit
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:04 AM
Comment #28worth a read
https://www.themag.co.uk/2020/01/clear-conditions-in-place-for-newcastle-united-takeover-if-the-intent-is-there/
c-dog
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:05 AM
Comment #29A takeover by a group of this magnitude would open up the door for the FA to negotiate with the Saudi authorities to improve their current tv rights dilemma
The FA would want this to happen
c-dog
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:14 AM
Comment #30Nice article from the mag
The goose is well fattened it seems
Cheer for that hibbit mate
yogz69
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:17 AM
Comment #31That article just points to the fact it is looking ever more likely somethings is happening
c-dog
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:18 AM
Comment #32yogz69
Or that Ashley’s running the club like a baboon
Prince Jim
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:19 AM
Comment #33Just to add some context, I live in Kuwait and I am in KSA about 3 days a week across Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. Over the last 3 years I have been going there, particularly the last 18 months there has been a seismic shift in the direction of the country.
Granted some sketchy past regarding human rights etc, but in recent history (but name a country which hasn’t?) they have implemented the following which is a big step for such a country. Women driving, Women not required to be covered, division in restaurants removed, Visa on arrival for most western nationalities, even last year they permitted same-sex couples unmarried to stay in hotel rooms together, sounds something crazy but for the middle east, this is a big move.
MBS came in and removed all the old guard and a lot of the corruption really shook the system up and is rewriting the rules. The sovereign wealth fund owns Aramco, last year they did an IPO the company is valued at 2 Trillion USD around the combined value of Apple, Samsung and Google.
If this deal happens the funds that would be at disposal (within FPP rules) would be essentially only limited to their imagination. I heard off a contact in KSA they have been looking for a club over the past year and approached Man U, Roma and Chelsea. He said for the toon deal ‘he wouldn’t be surprised if it happens’ But now it seems MBS has clearly come to his senses and focussed his attention on a ‘proper’ club.
My view is it will hinge on Ashley and his intentions, I believe its genuine interest, but we have been here before many, many times.
Mund
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:29 AM
Comment #34I hope we hear of something significant today. I believe if we don’t hear it’s done over the next few days it won’t be done.
martoon
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:52 AM
Comment #35Prince Jim – As you say things are changing but given the history these things take time. However correct me if I’m wrong but I believe the women driving is only with the permission of their husband?
RobLeenio
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:54 AM
Comment #36Prince Jim, nice context for those of us who know very little about the country other than snippets in the media. Thanks
yogz69
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:55 AM
Comment #37Cdog baboons are smarter
Lovem or Hatem
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:55 AM
Comment #38Just a quick rebuttal to some of the points raised by Martin Samuel and others:
1. When Sheikh Mansour bought Man City, he used a fixer (Amanda Staveley) – why the concern that a fixer is being used for this takeover?
2. Sheikh Mansour, also left his takeover of Man City to the very last minute of a transfer window – why the concern about this takeover happening near the end of a transfer window
3. I would presume Sheikh Mansour still had to negotiate with Mr Thaksin Shinawatra to reach an asking price – why the concern that an equally wealthy person wants to negotiate?
4. Why did Sheikh Mansour pay so much for a club that was in clear financial distress?
5. When the deal was completed Mr Thaksin Shinawatra still had a 10% stake in Man City – why the concern about Staveley and Reuben Bros. having 10% each?
Also, I think that the leaks to the press come from Ashley because the only common denominator in all takeovers (for the last 13 years) with NUFC has been Ashley. I think he uses it as a delaying tactic or a reason why the takeover can’t go ahead.
BenbulbenMag
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:56 AM
Comment #39@ Toon22 Comment 10
Very True, it’s hard to allow ourselves to get our hopes up again.
@ Mund comment 34
Agree 100%
RobLeenio
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:57 AM
Comment #40Jazzy “Can anyone point to any solid evidence that a Takeover is actually happening????”
No, nobody can. I think we can safely assume that there has been contact between the parties and has been for a number of months, otherwise there would have been an immediate denial from Staveley, the Reubens or from the Sauds.
As for Ashley’s side of things, well that’s a different kettle of fish entirely. We’ve had willing buyers before – what we lacked was a willing seller, and that’s still what we need.