Last Friday, Martin Samuel wrote a report in which he sounded some alarm bells over claims that an agreement had been reached between Mike Ashley and the Amanda Staveley-led consortium for just £300m.
Samuel’s contention was that it was very unlike the Mike Ashley he knew to agree to a deal that was less than his asking price.
Samuel hinted at a scenario that Mike Ashely would move the goalposts once the Premier League had completed its tests and approved the deal.
It’s a scenario that no Newcastle fan would put past our current owner.
However, Samuel’s initial alarm has turned a lot more soothing in his latest report in the Mail.
The crux of his report is that Mike Ashley stands to gain millions, even if this takeover fails. As part of the negotiations, the Saudi-backed consortium agreed to pay a 5% deposit on £340m once an agreement was reached.
This deposit is non-refundable, and Samuel backs earlier reports that it has been paid. He is reporting the amount of the deposit as £17m.
Due to the economic turmoil of the coronavirus pandemic, the agreement was reduced to £300m, but the deposit stayed the same at 5% of £340m.
Samuel is claiming that since the deposit is non-refundable, even if the takeover should collapse, Ashley will keep the £17m.
However, it’s the closing of Samuel’s report that should really excite Newcastle fans, especially considering his somewhat close ties to Ashley.
Samuel is reporting that no hitches are expected in this deal and that it is basically done pending Premier League approval.
Once that happens, documents will be signed, Mike Ashley will receive the remaining £283m and will no longer be the owner of Newcastle United.
Samuel also backs his colleague Craig Hope’s report that Mike Ashley wanted to announce the deal last week but was persuaded not to due to Saudi custom.
Considering Samuel is trusted by Ashley, then this is a clear sign that Mike Ashley is committed to selling Newcastle United once and for all.
183 comments so far
TheJimBelow
Apr 20, 2020 at 11:34 PM
Comment #1Pleeassse just announce the takeover pleeassse
Dondatta13
Apr 20, 2020 at 11:38 PM
Comment #2New owners be like….
https://youtu.be/BGUeRbHWNZ4?t=66
Dondatta13
Apr 20, 2020 at 11:40 PM
Comment #3And all other clubs are salty thinking…
https://youtu.be/JcqhvPNiJzo?t=32
rozehnal
Apr 20, 2020 at 11:42 PM
Comment #4It will be done by this month end. PL will have ratfied it by then.
Now what will the new owners bring?
What are their plans?
Also if the PIF are going to invest a substantial amount of money can Staveley keep up with her 10 percent, I’m pretty the bros can but we’ll her share get diluted?
rozehnal
Apr 20, 2020 at 11:43 PM
Comment #5Will *
carltoon
Apr 20, 2020 at 11:44 PM
Comment #6OLG it’s the first time I’ve agreed with one of your post, the one about Bruce, well done.
Dondatta13
Apr 20, 2020 at 11:46 PM
Comment #7Human rights….
https://youtu.be/TAP1GHNuwQ8
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 20, 2020 at 11:46 PM
Comment #8I suspect that if the deal fell through then that £17 m could be a very dangerous albatross around Mr Ashley’s neck.
carltoon
Apr 20, 2020 at 11:48 PM
Comment #9It was one of the worst days of my life when Rafa left and they appointed Bruce. I think he’s done an excellent job. Do I want another manager of course I do, but let us see out this season first.
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 20, 2020 at 11:49 PM
Comment #10Terry Flewers made some very good points but one that stands out for me is the potential economic benefits to the NE in general.
Gregg’s could become global, as an example.
NY Mag
Apr 20, 2020 at 11:50 PM
Comment #11Dondatta,
I’m liking your links….my kinda music 🙂
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 20, 2020 at 11:52 PM
Comment #12rozenthal
I don’t think you need to worry about Amanda, I’m certain she’ll come out of this in pocket and very happy!
NY Mag
Apr 20, 2020 at 11:54 PM
Comment #13Bill,
If you look at Ashley’s personal business (outside of SDI / FRAS)
He’s calling the money in…..people who say he’s struggling are way off the mark. But he’s calling it in for a reason….I don’t profess to know what that reason is…but there will be a reason
Munster Mag
Apr 20, 2020 at 11:55 PM
Comment #14Roz u let me worry about Mandy, thank you! 🙂
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 20, 2020 at 11:55 PM
Comment #15I’d like to see the wheelie bins and paddling pools go into the Hancock museum as examples of a period of historical interest.
Or Beamish even!
rozehnal
Apr 20, 2020 at 11:58 PM
Comment #16Yes she will. It feels that she might around just temporarily to see things over. Pretty much like the City deal.
I think we have plenty time to look at transfers before new season begins
TheJimBelow
Apr 20, 2020 at 11:58 PM
Comment #17Dondatta
I second NYs comment on the links, and nicely introduced; -)
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 20, 2020 at 11:58 PM
Comment #18NY Mag
Wow, there’s a theme for a thriller of some sort, wonder if it’s as simple as he’s building up his retirement fund?
I think I could happily retire on £300m +.
Novocastrian66
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:02 AM
Comment #19People keep banging on about how if they are so minted why are they only (ahem) buying 80% of the club.
Hold on a minute. Someone pitches you a deal. Tells you how a fantastic opportunity it is. You listen to the pitch and you say; all right I’ll have a piece of that but you will have to stump up some coin too. I tell you what I’m in for 80%. You will have to find the other 20%. It’s sound business sense. They minor shareholders have a vested interest to make it work. If it takes off no doubt the remaining 20% will be bought by the majority shareholder. Everyone wins.
Stavely is putting everything in to this project. The Saudi’s and the Rueben brothers are having a punt.
NY Mag
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:06 AM
Comment #20Bill,
He just got paid back his £220M loan on the London property deal. If you add in the sale of our club, that’s a pretty significant sum.
It probably means (my speculation) he’s up to something…..
Dondatta13
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:07 AM
Comment #21I welcome the financial boost…
https://youtu.be/NSD11dnphg0
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:08 AM
Comment #22NY Mag
I know why, he is wanting to show his gratitude to his parents for kick starting his business life and give them all of his money.
He will than go off to the Himalaya’s to spend the rest of his life in blissful meditation, obvious when you think of it.
Asi Fish
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:08 AM
Comment #23Retirement fund to build his own pandemic free Neverland – casino, bars, strip joint, close friends who only say how great he is but no fire places!
Good riddance.
Well if the new owners are gonna invest in the NE surely they need a SQEP FM with an ample commercial, financial and demolitions background 🙂
carltoon
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:08 AM
Comment #24NYmag is it not his retirement fund. I hope so.
carltoon
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:11 AM
Comment #25Oooh ASI stop pinching my lines 🙂
Jamaal Dubravka
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:12 AM
Comment #26Looks like this is it lads.
Asi Fish
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:14 AM
Comment #27Sorry Carlton ?
carltoon
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:14 AM
Comment #28And lasses 🙂
Asi Fish
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:14 AM
Comment #29Sorry Carlton ?
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:14 AM
Comment #30But being sensible, there is going to be an awful lot of prime High street property going at a very cheap price, it’s just the sort of thing he’ll be looking at. Picture sharks circling their victims!
Dondatta13
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:14 AM
Comment #31@NY & TJB….
Cheers chaps….
Just a bit of fun 🙂
The Nephews bday today… He’s in York and im celebrating alone lol
16!
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:15 AM
Comment #32carltoon, i think i said it first! 🙂
Asi Fish
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:15 AM
Comment #33So bad I said it twice and the laughing face didn’t work lol
Time for bed zzzzzzz
See you later for Takeover Tuesday
HWTL
carltoon
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:19 AM
Comment #34Ha ha Bill ok. It’s more like he’ll buy up the high street businesses that have went under due to this lock fown
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:20 AM
Comment #35Dondatta
Has he found somewhere to celebrate?
Anyway wish him a happy birthday from me, wish I was 16 again. 🙂
carltoon
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:22 AM
Comment #36Lock down
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:23 AM
Comment #37carltoon
Exactly that’s what I meant, there’ll be a few greedy speculators looking at this situation as an opportunity, there’s definitely blood in the water.
NY Mag
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:26 AM
Comment #38Bill,
You wish you were 16 again…surely not
Dondatta13
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:26 AM
Comment #39Essex,
He’s a good lad, he’s at home with his family 🙂
Thank you for the best wishes. i shall pass the, on to him 🙂
carltoon
Apr 21, 2020 at 12:27 AM
Comment #40Bill they say that it will be 6 million unemployed. Then you have the mega rich sitting on all their money, god what a world