New takeover claims emerge - 4 'interested parties' confirmed but 2 struggling to pay Ashley's price
The Telegraph is the latest outlet to provide yet another update on the NUFC 'takeover' today, claiming four parties remain interested but there are still concerns that buyers don't have the funds to match Ashley's asking price - with two 'struggling' to cough up the cash.
Ex player Steve Howey was the latest pundit to claim a takeover was close, only to be left a little embarrassed yesterday evening as he has previously stated a new owner would be announced before we hosted Manchester United at St James'.
The fact that multiple outlets are all claiming that parties are struggling to meet the valuation is alarming. Let's face it, the fact the club has still not be sold after countless attempts shows how difficult and unrealistic Ashley is to deal with.
Here are some selected quotes from the article in the Telegraph's latest piece:
"Although there are believed to be four interested parties who have approached Ashley’s representatives, none have managed to push through a deal and at least two of them are understood to be struggling to match the asking price."
To further infuriate Newcastle fans, it appears Ashley is openly taking money from the club - never mind investing in the playing squad this winter.
"Ashley has already taken around £10m out of the club this season in order to repay a short-term loan he gave the business during Newcastle’s season in the Championship and it is thought he is due to receive another larger repayment this month."
If true, this claim makes a mockery of the open letter the Maggie Group and other pressure groups penned to the Sports Direct owner. Ashley it seems, sees no harm in alienating our manager and the fan-base, so long as he makes a profit. The lack of good news on a takeover puts more pressure on the decision by the Mapgie Group to cancel the Wolves boycott; one of the few things fans can do that seemed to cause concern to Ashley, considering the impromptu Sky news interview shortly before it was due to take place.
Let's hope a takeover still materialises in time to help Rafa this month but like most fans, I think patience and hope is wearing incredibly thin.
