'I've heard nothing to suggest it will not be given the green light': Newcastle United takeover verdict and Premier League comments

As part of our weekly Sunday feature – Toon Trending Topic – our writers Liam Kennedy and Jordan Cronin tackle the Magpies’ burning issues and give their take on what has been yet another busy week on Tyneside.

What did you make of Premier League chief Richard Masters’ comments?

LK: “Although everyone has tried to read into his words both negatively and positively, I think he was just trying his best to bat away the questioning. He did not trip up this week, as he did in a BBC interview the week previous. And while his words were worthy of reporting on, there was nothing I took from them to suggest the deal is done, is not done, tests have started, haven’t started or whatever.”

JC: “As we all know, it is a confidential process, so it’s no shock to hear Masters saying very little. All of his answers were probably rehearsed in the mirror anyway! Some fans have chosen to examine his responses but I think any assumptions are a bit far fetched. It’s a draining process but ultimately the deal will happen when it happens.”

Have the Premier League made a circus of this takeover?

LK: “Yes. The time taken to make a call on directors has dragged on, and on, and on. And to me they’ve invited a lot of the criticism that has come the deal’s way, simply because they’ve taken so long to come to any conclusion on United’s owners-in-waiting.”

JC: “Absolutely. I completely respect that the Premier League have a confidential process to follow but they’ve allowed this to play out in the media. Make no mistake about it, this has badly toyed with supporters’ emotions. There was never any timeframe on when the O&Ds test would be completed, four weeks was initially suggested - we’re now into week eight? You can’t just use Project Restart as an excuse, in my opinion. A decision needs to be made very, very soon to put everyone out their misery.”

Do you believe the deal will get the ‘green light’?

LK: “I have seen or heard absolutely nothing to suggest it will not be given the green light. It is my understanding the piracy issues were ironed out a little while back, despite BeIN, Richard Keys or a select number of national journalists will tell you. The Saudis are not only keen to buy Newcastle United, they want to blow rivals Qatar out the water on the TV deal for the MENA region. One source told me bullish feeling among Saudi dealmakers is that ‘whatever Qatar bid, we will add £50million to that’.”JC: “I’d be lying if I said certain reports in the national media over the last few weeks hadn’t made me doubt it but I’ve also heard plenty of positive noises to feel reassured that it will be given the green light. While I am fully in favour of this takeover being approved, I am not pig-ignorant to the issues being raised and as much as it is a draining process, they have to be respected.”

Is it plausible the Premier League will kick-off, even complete before any takeover decision is taken?

LK: “It is my understanding this is not expected to run into July. June? Yes. July? No. But that is coming from the buyers’ side and their confidence has to be questioned at this point, especially as they thought the deal would be waved through by April 30.”

JC: “The restart is two weeks away, so you’d like to think a decision will be made by then. That said, I wouldn’t bank on it. The Premier League have already proven they are in no rush to rubber-stamp this deal. We talk about the fans needing to know the outcome but so do Steve Bruce and his players. I can imagine it is an unsettling time for them too.”

Could this takeover talk have a detrimental impact on NUFC, if the season starts and no call has been made on ownership?

LK: “You can look at this one of two ways. It could have a crippling impact on morale with futures uncertain and the club rudderless at the top. Flip that on its head, it could see some start playing for their futures with potential riches and glory on the horizon. Either way I think United only need two wins from their final nine games. Five points would probably suffice to be honest.”

JC: “What Liam said there is spot on. All in all, however the players might be feeling, I believe Bruce and his squad are professional enough to carry out the job in-hand and retain United’s Premier League status. Let’s not forget too, this group of players have an opportunity to write their names in Newcastle United folklore via the FA Cup. That is a huge motivation in itself.”