Yesterday, Craig Hope wrote a piece in the Daily Mail claiming that Mike Ashley had fired a shot across the bow to the Amanda Staveley-led group to, in essence, put in a bid for Newcastle United if they want the club.
NEW: Mike Ashley will tell Amanda Staveley-led consortium to come & buy NUFC if they want it. He has no appetite for another takeover saga played out in public. Sources close to Staveley say funding is in place & last obstacle is getting Ashley to sell https://t.co/v5njrO4SbF
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) January 27, 2020
The report said that Mike Ashley did not want another takeover saga, so he was open to a deal with the Saudi-led consortium. However, Hope also asserted that sources close to Staveley stated that everything is in place, and it all hinges on Mike Ashley signing on the dotted line.
Hope has followed up with a response on Twitter to the duality of his initial report with sources seeming to contradict each other.
Exactly. Mixed messages already. That’s the point of the story. One side saying everything is in place, just need Ashley to sell. Other side saying come & buy it if you’re serious. In my (extensive) experience of non-takeovers, this already ticks a lot of boxes. We’ll see. https://t.co/QY3Y45frNu
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) January 28, 2020
This is an ominous update by Hope. Mike Ashley could be using stall tactics as he tries to worm his way out of this takeover attempt.
With this consortium being backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which controlled by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who is worth £300billion, Ashley can’t really claim that they don’t have the funds and are time wasters.
This time it looks like Ashley could be the time waster as he drastically tries to save face while keeping hold of this club. Mike Ashley’s desire to sell was always the lynchpin to any sale of Newcastle.
Despite countless public protestations to the contrary, he is just not a willing seller and doesn’t seem to have the fortitude to just admit that.
129 comments so far
DaveD1000
Jan 28, 2020 at 7:54 PM
Comment #1Poor Mike….all these people pissing him about, it shouldn’t be allowed
DubaiMicky
Jan 28, 2020 at 7:54 PM
Comment #2If nowt happens by the end of the week I’m giving up.
However, I reckon we’ll be having “cans” by Thursday.
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Jan 28, 2020 at 7:56 PM
Comment #3The fakeovers ending early this year.
Not like the good old days when they lasted weeks or months.
Our Toon
Jan 28, 2020 at 7:56 PM
Comment #4Agreed Micky dubai
Time for me to head off and play some footy
Bryan
Jan 28, 2020 at 7:57 PM
Comment #5Staveley said exactly the same thing last time and look what happened, nothing. We live in hope though.
DaveD1000
Jan 28, 2020 at 7:57 PM
Comment #6Micky I gave up Mon morning when all the same crap was being regurgitated.
Jib
Jan 28, 2020 at 7:57 PM
Comment #7https://twitter.com/i/status/1222241160036540417
Our Toon
Jan 28, 2020 at 7:58 PM
Comment #8Before I go this screams of one side has met conditions and wants to buy but the seller is wanting more and moving goalposts
Jib
Jan 28, 2020 at 7:58 PM
Comment #9Villa score !!!!
DaveD1000
Jan 28, 2020 at 7:58 PM
Comment #10am off to give serious attention to the takeover of a bottle of gin have fun all
Lovem or Hatem
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:00 PM
Comment #11@ Micky dubai
Agree with you – no takeover by Friday, it is all over.
FloridaToon(SDFC)
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:05 PM
Comment #12The good news, I guess, is that none of the mentioned buyers has denied anything.
Jib
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:07 PM
Comment #13https://twitter.com/JeffAB61
Nicky the ball tosser
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:08 PM
Comment #14Been watching a bit of Bentaleb and he is a seriously good footballer. He wants the ball even if he is being marked. He’ll beat his man as he’s receiving it, by selling a little dummy, controlling into space and turning away from his marker. He doesn’t care at all if he has a man on, he just gives and goes and gets it back in tight spaces, and he’s pretty fast and has quick feet for a big guy and obviously a quick football brain. I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t slot straight in v Norwich and stay there.
Jib
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:08 PM
Comment #15That’s right
It was Russia Today said Ashley wants to retain a 10% holding
Jib
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:10 PM
Comment #16I hope the squad are watching this semi
This is how a cuptie should be played
Jib
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:13 PM
Comment #17The guy that passed to Samatta was offside but the Tanzanian took the chance well
FloridaToon(SDFC)
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:14 PM
Comment #18Just to keep the conversation going:
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-takeover-transfers-latest-17647309
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:15 PM
Comment #19https://www.themag.co.uk/2020/01/newcastle-united-takeover-a-cunning-plan/
Not positive on the sale front but a good read with some funny bits.
FloridaToon(SDFC)
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:15 PM
Comment #20“Presenter Jim White has claimed a takeover deal for Newcastle United could be completed within ’48 to 72 hours’.”
Bambams
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:16 PM
Comment #21Ashlie is the one common factor in all the attempted takeovers, he is the one who likes the idea of selling the club but then has cold feet and moves the goalposts far enough for the deals to fail.
You would have to offer him stupid money for him to sell, and even after stupid money he will still change the terms and conditions.
This is the man who said he wanted to sell but was too hungover to even attempt to meet a wealthy Sheikh who eventually bought Man City….
dougie
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:16 PM
Comment #22How many times are the gullible going to take notice of the fakeover nonsense.Its pathetic,the parasite will not sell,it’s his favourite cash cow and he loves being the owner of Sports Direct FC.It gives him a hard on knowing that he is the dominant force over a club like ours,it makes him feel important.He is a big fat sick puppy who loves control.In reality he is still just the fat ugly lonely boy in his parents bedroom that craves acceptance.
FloridaToon(SDFC)
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:17 PM
Comment #23dougie
Not sure anyone is falling for it. More of a heart vs. head type debate.
Bills Son Is Back
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:18 PM
Comment #24My opinion is the opposite…
This screams to me of Staveley saying she has the ducks in a row and Ashley not having had a formal bid.
My guess would be that Ashley will not waste time negotiating on the finer points until he has seen proof of funds – he’s been therefore with Staveley and Kenyon.
POF from the consortium company or don’t waste my time.
That would be exactly mt position if Staveley came back on the scene.
toon22
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:19 PM
Comment #25Who do you think he will pretend to sell us to next time ?
FloridaToon(SDFC)
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:19 PM
Comment #26Bills
I believe that proof of funds has already been shown according to reports.
Jib
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:19 PM
Comment #27A big fat sick puppy who loves control.In reality he is still just the fat ugly lonely boy in his parents bedroom that craves acceptance.
I think Dougie has been looking in the mirror again
toon22
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:22 PM
Comment #28The simple fact is he just makes too much money from the club, via adverts and player transfer/ tv money
He just cant walk away
The other thing being he just cant have someone taking over and making a success with something he failed at
His ego just wont allow it
Bladey
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:22 PM
Comment #29When are you going to set up camp and wait for ashleys helicopter to see if we are buying a striker you only have a couple of days left
Stock up on your lager and Greggs pasties you MUGS
Or are you watching sky sports every hour waiting for the fakeover
Your laughable you really are it’s the best comedy since only fools and horses
ASH IN ASH IN ASH IN
FloridaToon(SDFC)
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:22 PM
Comment #30toon22
Lets all hope there will not be a next time and this is the real deal.
toon22
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:24 PM
Comment #31JIB
You would defend the guy whatever so your views arnt really relevant
If he sold the club he wouldnt have a single thing to advertise his tat, we are literally it
He wants to rebrand meaning alot of adverts, you really think hes going to pay for them when he makes money from them right now ?
toon22
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:24 PM
Comment #32FloridaToon(SDFC)
13 years of lies says otherwise to a sale
toon22
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:26 PM
Comment #33He rarely ever sells an asset
Its just not something he does
We are probably one of his most valuable assets, we are literally the only thing propping up his tat empire
A nice little piggy bank to gamble with and exploit
FloridaToon(SDFC)
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:26 PM
Comment #34toon22
True, but hope is ever present.
toon22
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:28 PM
Comment #35Would you buy the club from the guy when you cant trust the books, its difficult to what might be included in the sale, he would want to keep a foot in the door and keep the adverts ?
He will want his cake and eat it
He will also want to do over anyone he deals with
Its never Jabbas fault
Online Guy
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:28 PM
Comment #36This from Lochinvar earlier
“West Ham relegated would be so painful for their porn star owners” .
Me,
Loch, it won’t bother West Hams owners too much , they’re used to going down.
toon22
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:29 PM
Comment #37FloridaToon(SDFC)
No he uses hope to string people along
The sale lie
The 5/10 year plan
The staged change of heart via his sky mates
All have been proven to be lies and all had a single purpose
toon22
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:31 PM
Comment #38He will keep the club as if he sells SD will be in trouble
No adverts
No cash injections from football to tide him over
toon22
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:33 PM
Comment #39Retail is in trouble in this country
Its pretty much all hes got apart from us
When needed he can strip the flow of cash from us to his tat.
Theres loads of money in football
ronaldo aarons
Jan 28, 2020 at 8:34 PM
Comment #40Seems I upset a few posters earlier… 😉