Mike Ashley PR stunt reaches its final stages - First Rafa Benitez, now a takeover / transfers..
Some Mike Ashley theories can be a little far-fetched (not that I'd blame any fan for being extremely cynical), but there's something seriously wrong with the way our summer has panned out so far - and it stinks of another big PR stunt.
Mike Ashley had a few simple steps to take this summer following our 4-0 win at Fulham on the final day. Meet with Rafa, agree to a few simple compromises (he wasn't asking for the world or hundreds of millions), get his contract signed and make our first arrival Salomon Rondon on a permanent deal.
None of this has happened, and, not only that, he appears to have done a very good job in dragging out this 'proposed takeover' too.
We obviously don't know the ins and outs of any deal with the BZG, but who is more likely to be holding it up? A proven liar and power drinker who's known to move goalposts, set unrealistic demands and fail to communicate.....OR, a well-respected group from the UAE who A) have nothing to gain from this being a big PR stunt on their behalves and B) a party who have been pretty clear from the outset via their statements.
So, what was Ashley's PR stunt? In short, I believe he was never seriously interested in keeping Rafa Benitez and Newcastle and never planning on keeping Rondon. He knew his stance on both would infuriate fans desperate to see both stay, so he allowed the takeover talk (which conveniently emerged at the end of May) to play out. Not only has this ray of hope filled the void Rafa Benitez has left and provided some form of distraction, it's given him another excuse not to spend money in the transfer window - all while he cashes in on / fails to sign our top assets from last season.
Also, BZG released a statements claiming a takeover agreement WEEKS ago now. The club did NOTHING to deny these claims, but, several weeks on and the day after season ticket renewals have ended, the club are saying no bid is on the table. It doesn't add up, but it stinks of a Mike Ashley PR stunt and seems all too convenient/familiar from his perspective.
BZG released bold statements that the club failed to deny. Monochrome was set up. Heads of terms were signed and submitted. Proof of funds were provided. So, the only way this deal falls through is if Mike Ashley decides he wants it to - and, sadly, I fear that this could be the case.
Just look at this from the Shields Gazette's Liam Kenedy - EVERYTHING points to genuine interest from the BZG, so, in theory, the only man left to scupper the deal is you know who..
I hope I'm wrong, but with Rafa now gone, no Rondon, Perez sold (£30m pocketed by Ashley), no new manager and no new signings, I fear this 'proposed takeover' to fall through just a week or two before the summer window shuts and the season starts.
Mike Ashley is a liar, an asset stripper and a man who is only interested in milking his cash cow - no matter how much he destroys our club.
We've had a shambolic summer so far, yet it still looks likely that Hayden will leave - and I dread to think what will happen if Man Utd do come in with a sizeable offer for Sean Longstaff.
I imagine we'll appoint a new manager towards the middle of this month and then we'll look at making a few last minute signings - something which also stinks of Ashley given he likes to sign players late in the day to save on a few months worth of wages!
A cynical rant and, again, I can't stress enough how much I hope to be proved wrong here, but I can't help but feel everything is designed to disguise what Ashley is doing to this club.
