'Frustration is growing but confidence remains': Newcastle United takeover verdict, Richard Masters' letter and Matty Longstaff's future

Dates and false promises are the norm on Tyneside as each week runs a similar course – no decision, yet more criticism of the deal, then some buyer optimism.

One thing that is certain is the Premier League WILL make a decision on this at some point, but when is anyone’s guess.

Here our writers Liam Kennedy and Jordan Cronin dissect another week of takeover talk on Tyneside, as well as talk through a host of other issues on the black and white front.

What are your thoughts on the future of Matty Longstaff?

LK: “It would be a really sore one for fans to see a talented Geordie, who wants to stay, depart for pennies. As a club Newcastle United has always let far too many future stars slip through the net, they should not do so this time. Saying that, I do think the player has a real hard call on his hands. At 20 he’s being offered millions in a sign on fee and £30,000 per week by Udinese (with view to heading to Watford eventually, who will avoid a costly tribunal). This really is life-changing stuff for the lad. Personally I would find that very hard to turn down. But on the other hand, he could possibly make it at the club he loves, at the start of a revolution on Tyneside. New owners could be a blessing but also a curse – while Steve Bruce loves the player, a new regime may not.”

JC: “Reports this week have suggested the money offered by Udinese compared to Newcastle is £10,000 more and now sadly, Matty is probably at risk of unfairly being accused of leaving for money. No, had Matty’s contract been sorted months ago i.e. before he was allowed to speak to other clubs, then he wouldn’t be in this tough position. I think both are great offers but in Newcastle’s case, I feel they are being punished for being reactive rather than proactive (that’s never happened under Mike Ashley before…). Udinese have had months to make Matty feel wanted and outline their plans for him whereas Newcastle have put contract talks on the backburner. That is no way to make one of your upcoming talents feel special. Indeed, the Watford link is interesting…”

Is Premier League chief Richard Masters’ letter to Hatice Cengiz’s legal representatives as significant as some seem to think?

LK: “Not for me. Masters had to respond, he had to express his sympathy and he had to say it would be considered. Reading so much into the exact wording of his email is pointless. This is a confidential process – believe me when I say that – and no one knows dates. Buyer and seller have speculated throughout this process – Mike Ashley and the Saudi consortium wanted this done and dusted by April 30 – but the Premier League have not. The process is so confidential we do not even know who will make the decision on whether this is given the green light or blocked. I am told it will not be voted on by the other 19 clubs, though.”JC: “I’d be more concerned if Masters didn’t reply. For me, it is nothing more than a letter of acknowledgement. He is doing what any decent person would do in that position and express his sympathy towards a woman who sadly lost her fiancee.”

Do club and fans deserve better from the Premier League, with futures up for debate – or is this lengthy process to be expected?

LK: “Fans deserve better, so do the players and staff, of that I am in no doubt. This wait is putting people across Tyneside through the mill. Jobs are at stake, futures to decide, fans are out of pocket and leadership is required. I don't see why someone did not make announcement like ‘The sale of NUFC has been agreed by X,Y & Z, subject to Premier League ratification’. This would have cooled the whole situation, for everyone. If Mike Ashley cared about his club or fans, he’d have done that. You’d really think the buyers would have wanted that out there, unless they are wary of the possibility of a rejection by the league. It is also important to counter that with the argument that these things do take time and unfortunately, the moment this story leaked, the clock has been ticking in United fans’ heads. If this was done as Ashley wanted it – no leaks, then the deal is announced out the blue – we’d all probably feel better for it.”

JC: “Absolutely – the Premier League have made an absolute circus of it all. There was a huge amount of excitement and hope on Tyneside nine weeks ago but that has now been tarnished with any approval more likely to be met with pure relief. As we creep closer to the resumption of the league season, we’re beginning to see more clearly just how much this is affecting people associated with the football club. Supporters are drained, staff and players don’t know where they stand and the owners-in-waiting are being denied the opportunity to speak to the likes of Matty and Javier Manquillo about their futures. If this is to be the end of Mike Ashley, then it is certainly a fitting way to bow out.”

Newcastle’s new owners-in-waiting have been confident throughout this process, even with the waves and waves of criticism the deal has invited. But does there come a time when we call into question that confidence?

LK: “Frustration is growing on the buyers side, but confidence remains. That confidence has never really wavered throughout. For that very reason you have to naturally start to wonder whether that confidence is misplaced? They expected a deal by April 30. They have leaked to various sources the deal would be done this week, last week, the week before. Still no deal. Patience is wearing thin among the United fanbase and while this deal is everything most punters want and more, the shine has been taken off it somewhat, by the draining nature of this process.”

JC: “I’ve got no doubt the prospective new owners were prepared for this level of scrutiny but I don’t think they, or anyone, expected to wait this long for a decision from the Premier League. We’re approaching the 10th week of this saga – that is a very long process so I’m taking it as a positive that they’re remaining so bullish after all this time.”