Newcastle United takeover dialogue continues as Premier League compromise is actively sought

Mike Ashley, the Premier League and the Amanda Staveley-driven consortium remain in dialogue over the proposed £300 million buyout of Newcastle United.
Newcastle United's owner Mike Ashley (C) and managing director Lee Charnley (R) look on ahead of the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on May 15, 2016. / AFP / Scott Heppell        (Photo credit should read SCOTT HEPPELL/AFP via Getty Images)Newcastle United's owner Mike Ashley (C) and managing director Lee Charnley (R) look on ahead of the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on May 15, 2016. / AFP / Scott Heppell        (Photo credit should read SCOTT HEPPELL/AFP via Getty Images)
Newcastle United's owner Mike Ashley (C) and managing director Lee Charnley (R) look on ahead of the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on May 15, 2016. / AFP / Scott Heppell (Photo credit should read SCOTT HEPPELL/AFP via Getty Images)

The Gazette has learned lines of communication remain open and live from PCP Capital Partners through Sports Direct tycoon Ashley and the league.

And hope remains a compromise of sorts can be reached to get the deal back on track. Any such compromise would, of course, require movement from both sides in some way, shape or form. Movement from the money men behind the deal – the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia – is unlikely, given they feel they’ve provided all the information required of them to pass the Premier League’s owners’ and directors’ test. Although a fresh crackdown on piracy in the kingdom is underway.

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In spite of this, work continues to be done on the deal in the background. The buyers-in-waiting are yet to call off their legal teams with the case very much still open.

But the prospect of a change of ownership in the short-term looks all but dead, with United fans facing up to the prospect of another Premier League season under the ownership of Ashley. While the prospect of new owners in the medium term also looks bleak, despite the continued confidence of those close to the deal, the emergence of the Bellagraph Nova Group and continued mumerings with regards the mysterious Henry Mauriss and Clear TV bid.

Meanwhile, member of parliament for Newcastle upon Tyne East, Nick Brown, has this week sent a fresh letter demanding answers from the Premier League with regards the deal.

Following Richard Masters’ reply to Chi Onwurah on Friday, Brown asked for clarity from the league in order ‘to reinforce the points already made’.

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The letter, dated August 18, reads: “Constituents have written to me expressing their concern that there have still not been any answers from the Premier League on this (decision delays and lack of transparency). The lack of communication with fans and the wider public has led to speculation and suspicion.

"I would be grateful for a reply that I can share with the now over 400 of my constituents who have contacted me about this.”

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