Takeover update - Club reporter reveals good & bad news on £300m Kenyon deal
According to the Northern Echo's Scott Wilson, both Mike Ashley and Peter Kenyon are 'hopeful' that a takeover will go through - however hopes of it being concluded before the end of the year are 'receding fast'.
The story highlights that neither Kenyon - nor any other interested party - have entered into a period of 'exclusivity' as of yet, meaning they are facing a race against time to seal a deal in time for the January window.
Sounds familiar, doesn't it? It's positive to hear that both parties are said to be pushing for a deal before the new year, but time is ticking.
Here's a snippet from the Northern Echo's piece:
'Ashley remains hopeful that a takeover deal could be agreed before the end of the year, with former Manchester United and Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon still in pole position to complete a buyout.
'Kenyon has been working with New York-based financial consultancy, Rockefeller Management, to raise the funds required to meet Ashley’s £300m asking price, and is understood to be hopeful of completing a deal.
'However, with neither Kenyon nor any of the other interested parties having entered into a period of exclusivity, hopes of a takeover being concluded before the end of the year are receding fast.'
Unfortunately, our results against Wolves won't have helped matters, however it now really does come down to Ashley's willingness to sell - and Kenyon's willingness to pay up.
For the sake of us fans, Rafa, our January plans and our push towards safety in the second half of the season, let's hope a deal can be completed in time.
Ashley will be facing one hell of a backlash if he manages to mess this one up - especially after a boycott was cancelled to give him and Kenyon a clear run at completing.
