TORREON, MEXICO - MAY 17: General view of the field prior he Final first leg match between Santos Laguna and Toluca as part of the Torneo Clausura 2018 Liga MX at Corona Stadium on May 17, 2018 in Torreon, Mexico. (Photo by Manuel Guadarrama/Getty Images)TORREON, MEXICO - MAY 17: General view of the field prior he Final first leg match between Santos Laguna and Toluca as part of the Torneo Clausura 2018 Liga MX at Corona Stadium on May 17, 2018 in Torreon, Mexico. (Photo by Manuel Guadarrama/Getty Images)
TORREON, MEXICO - MAY 17: General view of the field prior he Final first leg match between Santos Laguna and Toluca as part of the Torneo Clausura 2018 Liga MX at Corona Stadium on May 17, 2018 in Torreon, Mexico. (Photo by Manuel Guadarrama/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Orlegi Sports, GACP, BZG & more – NINETEEN key NUFC takeover updates in 2019

By Liam Kennedy
Published 2nd Oct 2019, 12:43 BST
Updated 11th Nov 2019, 11:35 BST
Newcastle United has been awash with endless takeover tales this summer – from the apparent incoming Arab riches, Kylian Mbappe and Jose Mourinho to the meagre pickings of a buy now, pay later American investment firm.

But, despite all of the rumour and conjecture, claims and counter-claims, statements and radio silence from Newcastle United, Sports Direct tycoon Mike Ashley remains the owner at St James’s Park.

Sheikh Khaled, the Bin Zayed Group, some mystery Chinese, some more mystery Americans, GACP Sports, Peter Kenyon and Joseph DaGrosa – here’s every development in a summer that promised change and prosperity for United, but delivered nothing more than the status quo, with a dialling down of quality in the dugout, and on the pitch, as well as dwindling numbers on the terraces.

TORREON, MEXICO - MAY 17: General view of the field prior he Final first leg match between Santos Laguna and Toluca as part of the Torneo Clausura 2018 Liga MX at Corona Stadium on May 17, 2018 in Torreon, Mexico. (Photo by Manuel Guadarrama/Getty Images)

. TORREON, MEXICO - MAY 17: General view of the field prior he Final first leg match between Santos Laguna and Toluca as part of the Torneo Clausura 2018 Liga MX at Corona Stadium on May 17, 2018 in Torreon, Mexico. (Photo by Manuel Guadarrama/Getty Images)

TORREON, MEXICO - MAY 17: General view of the field prior he Final first leg match between Santos Laguna and Toluca as part of the Torneo Clausura 2018 Liga MX at Corona Stadium on May 17, 2018 in Torreon, Mexico. (Photo by Manuel Guadarrama/Getty Images) | Getty Images Photo: Manuel Guadarrama

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The Sun publish an exclusive from writer Justin Allen. They claim Newcastle has been sold to the Bin Zayed Group in a £350million deal. Sources at St James’s Park give a “no comment”.

. Sunday, May 26 - TAKEOVER ALERT

The Sun publish an exclusive from writer Justin Allen. They claim Newcastle has been sold to the Bin Zayed Group in a £350million deal. Sources at St James’s Park give a “no comment”. | Getty Images Photo: Michael Regan

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The Bin Zayed Group issue statement: It reads: “Representatives of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan are in discussions with Mike Ashley and his team, about the proposed acquisition of Newcastle United Football Club". They say "terms agreed.".

. Monday, May 27 - Lift off from Dubai!

The Bin Zayed Group issue statement: It reads: “Representatives of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan are in discussions with Mike Ashley and his team, about the proposed acquisition of Newcastle United Football Club". They say "terms agreed.". | Getty Images Photo: GIUSEPPE CACACE

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Sources at NUFC confirm the statement is genuine. On the record the Premier League and Newcastle United remain firm in their “no comment” stance. Claims that ‘proof of funds’ have been sent.

. Tuesday, May 28 - Sources confirm legitimacy

Sources at NUFC confirm the statement is genuine. On the record the Premier League and Newcastle United remain firm in their “no comment” stance. Claims that ‘proof of funds’ have been sent. | Getty Images Photo: Tony Marshall

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A second statement from the group arrives, further clarifying their stance. The Bin Zayed Group's managing director Midhat Kidwai said: "Terms have been agreed between us and Mike Ashley." They confirm proof of funds sent and Premier League tests started. Sources elsewhere continue to refute this.

. Wednesday, May 29 - Statement Mk2

A second statement from the group arrives, further clarifying their stance. The Bin Zayed Group's managing director Midhat Kidwai said: "Terms have been agreed between us and Mike Ashley." They confirm proof of funds sent and Premier League tests started. Sources elsewhere continue to refute this. | Getty Images Photo: Ian MacNicol

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It’s established through sources in the Middle East that Sheikh Khaled – BZG’s head – is a second cousin of Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour, after plenty of claims and counter-claims to the contrary.

. Thursday, May 30 - Now this is getting serious!

It’s established through sources in the Middle East that Sheikh Khaled – BZG’s head – is a second cousin of Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour, after plenty of claims and counter-claims to the contrary. | Getty Images Photo: Francois Nel

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Unofficial confirmation comes out that Newcastle and BZG have signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

. Friday, May 31 - NDA!

Unofficial confirmation comes out that Newcastle and BZG have signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). | Getty Images Photo: Stu Forster

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The Sunday Mirror suggests Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger are preferred candidates to replace Rafa Benitez, whose deal ends on June 30.

. Sunday, June 2 - Enter Mourinho?

The Sunday Mirror suggests Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger are preferred candidates to replace Rafa Benitez, whose deal ends on June 30. | Getty Images Photo: Claudio Villa

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The Sun publish an exclusive from writer Justin Allen. They claim Newcastle has been sold to the Bin Zayed Group in a £350million deal. Sources at St James’s Park give a “no comment”.

1. Sunday, May 26 - TAKEOVER ALERT

The Sun publish an exclusive from writer Justin Allen. They claim Newcastle has been sold to the Bin Zayed Group in a £350million deal. Sources at St James’s Park give a “no comment”. | Getty Images Photo: Michael Regan

Photo Sales
The Bin Zayed Group issue statement: It reads: “Representatives of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan are in discussions with Mike Ashley and his team, about the proposed acquisition of Newcastle United Football Club". They say "terms agreed.".

2. Monday, May 27 - Lift off from Dubai!

The Bin Zayed Group issue statement: It reads: “Representatives of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan are in discussions with Mike Ashley and his team, about the proposed acquisition of Newcastle United Football Club". They say "terms agreed.". | Getty Images Photo: GIUSEPPE CACACE

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Sources at NUFC confirm the statement is genuine. On the record the Premier League and Newcastle United remain firm in their “no comment” stance. Claims that ‘proof of funds’ have been sent.

3. Tuesday, May 28 - Sources confirm legitimacy

Sources at NUFC confirm the statement is genuine. On the record the Premier League and Newcastle United remain firm in their “no comment” stance. Claims that ‘proof of funds’ have been sent. | Getty Images Photo: Tony Marshall

Photo Sales
A second statement from the group arrives, further clarifying their stance. The Bin Zayed Group's managing director Midhat Kidwai said: "Terms have been agreed between us and Mike Ashley." They confirm proof of funds sent and Premier League tests started. Sources elsewhere continue to refute this.

4. Wednesday, May 29 - Statement Mk2

A second statement from the group arrives, further clarifying their stance. The Bin Zayed Group's managing director Midhat Kidwai said: "Terms have been agreed between us and Mike Ashley." They confirm proof of funds sent and Premier League tests started. Sources elsewhere continue to refute this. | Getty Images Photo: Ian MacNicol

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