'Things could get nuclear' – Mike Ashley's potential Newcastle United takeover power play, transfers & more

Liam Kennedy and Miles Starforth talk all things black and white in a week where the Saudi bid reached 10 Downing Street. And one of our writers is predicting things could get ‘nuclear’ in the coming days or weeks.

What next for the Newcastle United takeover?

MS: “That’s the biggest question right now - and it’s hard to answer it with any certainty. The investment group very publicly withdrew its bid for the club, but it’s not over until it’s over, and this doesn’t seem over - yet.

"It all depends on the Premier League, which is yet to make any kind of comment on the takeover. There’s been silence in public from Richard Masters, the Premier League’s chief executive, but he’ll presumably have had discussions in private over the past week with the various parties amid pressure from fans and MPs.

"What is clear is that the Premier League will have to give the buyers a lot of encouragement if they are to return to the table.”

LK: “It felt over, then it wasn’t. It definitely isn't over, but a lot of things would have to fall into place for it to go ahead.

"So much is still unknown in this whole process. Is the deal on the table or not? That’s the biggest question. IF it is not then the Premier League should start chirping. Of course, if it is, they need to make a decision.

"Personally, I think it is the former, and the PL have been unmasked, their confidentiality cloak gone. The net is closing in. We all want answers.

"There is a massive wave of momentum and positivity around the deal and the political take has been a masterstroke.

"Boris Johnson’s words were massive for the deal – and his talk of no government involvement cannot be taken for gospel. This deal means a lot to us, but it means plenty to others, too.

"What next then? Well, we need something from the Premier League, if it is not a watertight decision, they have to talk, the silence is deafening. And by that I do not mean a bland two line answer about the buyers pulling out. No more stating the obvious. Treat us all like adults and tell us why, if you have the reasoning to do so, the deal became undoable.”

Is the possibility of new owners by the start of the new season out the window or still a possibility?

MS: “That looks a very remote possibility. Mike Ashley, it seems, will almost certainly be owner when the new season kicks off next month.”

LK: “It’s basically four or five weeks to the big kick off. So given this has taken 18 so far, you’d have to say it seems unlikely.

"This could all get very legal depending on the next steps taken by the buyers, seller and governing body, which makes you think this could have a while to run yet. Hopefully not long enough for everyone to lose appetite for the deal, as that would only allow another Premier League win.”

Is the Saudi bid still the only one in town? What of the other reported interested parties?

MS: “Henry Mauriss is said to be in talks over a rival bid, and there are said to be other interested parties. Only time will tell if one or more of them have the funds to buy the club.”

LK: “Yes. It is. No one has ever taken Mike Ashley as close to the edge of the cliff. Looking back over their shoulders, there's nothing but tumbleweed and a sunset, no one on white horses, although there may be a cowboy or two.”

Does Mike Ashley have a role to play in the deal still?

MS: “Lee Charnley last week claimed that Ashley was still ‘committed’ to the deal, and the club's owner will presumably have made representations to the Premier League given his keenness for this deal to be approved. Maybe he has been able to get some answers.”

LK: “Yes. He is one of the Premier League’s 20 stakeholders – and the body who are meant to serve him are preventing him from selling one of his assets. I’m no legal eagle but something is not right there. I’ve seen restriction of trade bandied about in recent days by the likes of former Crystal Palace owner and Ashley apologist Simon Jordan. Things could go nuclear if the Sports Direct tycoon, so desperate to get out this time, decides to head down that route. I’m told he does have legal teams readied.”

And what about transfers, are Newcastle active in the market despite the ongoing uncertainty?

MS: “Yes. The club has its targets, and work is ongoing. Head of recruitment Steve Nickson and head coach Steve Bruce had compiled lists of potential targets before lockdown, and before this takeover was even agreed, and there have been meetings and discussions over the past couple of months ahead of the opening of the transfer window. The club will be active, but Bruce has already admitted that his budget will be adversely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.”

LK: “Deals will get done. They won’t be the deals we all hoped for but they could be interesting all the same. Loans and free transfers is what we are looking at I’m afraid.”

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