BREAKING: Newcastle United release statement announcing Mike Ashley's immediate plans for the club
Some big breaking news arriving this afternoon, with Newcastle United releasing a statement confirming that Mike Ashley has now put the club up for sale, stating he is now identifying potential new owners as he looks to sell up BEFORE Christmas.
It had been pretty clear the Ashley was looking to sell the club, with takeover talk dominating the headlines in recent weeks, however this provides us all with some much needed clarity on the matter.
Here is the full statement
'As a result of increasing press speculation regarding the future of Newcastle United, the owner of the club, St. James Holdings Limited, wishes to clarify its intentions.
As one of the Premier League’s oldest and best supported football clubs – and for the benefit of its many fans and supporters in the UK and across the world – Newcastle United requires a clear direction and a path to a bright and successful future.
To give the club the best possible opportunity of securing the positioning and investment necessary to take it to the next level, at what is an important time in its history, its present ownership has determined that it is in the best interests of Newcastle United and its fans for the club to be put up for sale.
To give an incoming owner the maximum possible flexibility to make meaningful investment in the club, including in its playing squad, the sale process will give interested parties the opportunity of deferring substantial payments.
A process will now commence of identifying new ownership for the club that will be capable of delivering the sustained investment in and dedication to the club that is necessary for it to achieve its ambitions.’
A huge moment for us all, with this being the biggest indicator yet that Mike Ashley is finally looking for a way out of Newcastle for good.
There appears to be an acceptance here that he must move on to give the club a chance of 'achieving it's ambitions', with the other key part being that Ashley is now open to interested parties paying for the club in instalments - suggesting he is very willing to do what he can to secure a quick sale.
Here's some of the reaction online to the big news this afternoon:
https://twitter.com/SkySports_Keith/status/919957846099292165
https://twitter.com/randallbell/status/919957339763077121
https://twitter.com/SkySports_Keith/status/919957785953099777
https://twitter.com/MsiDouglas/status/919958669093212165
