Moat still in the runningVarious media outlets are reporting that the takeover saga at Newcastle United is rapidly approaching its conclusion.
The Telegraph’s ‘source close to the board’ said:
“There are three parties now interested in buying the club from Mike Ashley of which Barry Moat is one and one thing in common for all of them is that the asking price is £100 million all ways round.
“Moat can now be considered as the outsider of three but if the business is not concluded by Friday then there is a problem and there is a good chance the club will be taken off the market.”
So from that report it seems that Moat’s chances aren’t too good. (more…)
Off to Spain perhapsAs far as the sale saga goes, this week really must be it.
I can’t believe Ashley would let it run into the last week of the transfer window to sell the club, leaving mere days to strengthen the extremely threadbare squad. According to press articles of late, ‘D-Day’ is either today, tomorrow or Friday. Thursday is reported to be upset about being overlooked.
So what’s the latest? Well there’s nothing much new. Yesterday’s Journal claims that Barclays Bank will make a decision about Moat’s loan by Wednesday and claims that Shearer will be manager in time for the Crystal Palace match on Saturday if Barclays gives it the thumbs-up.
Meanwhile it seems that Joe Kinnear has been telling ‘friends in football’ that he will be manager by the end of this week if the sale falls through.
Personally I have no faith in Barclays. When I was 18 I applied for a loan from them myself in order to buy a MkI 3-litre Capri and they turned me down. If they couldn’t afford to lend me £700 I can’t see how they can lend Barry Moat £20m. (more…)
Moat still in pole position?The Mirror claims that a new bidder is going to enter the race to buy Newcastle United before Wednesday’s deadline, although they say Barry Moat still remains in pole position.
Apparently the bid will be made direct to Ashley, rather than Keith Harris at Seymour Pierce, and – I presume – without having performed a due diligence. A ‘source close to the bidders’ had this to say:
“There have been so many D-days and so many false dawns that they have done their best to keep this late move under wraps.
“This offer has been properly planned and has cost a lot to put together.
“It will be a credible offer and if Mike Ashley is serious about selling the club he will seriously consider it.
“Ashley has said he will take the club off the market if his latest deadline isn’t met, but this offer should give him something to think about.
“Something will happen in the next couple of days.
“It is being made directly to Ashley and his advisers and that is all that can be said about it at the moment.”
I must admit I’m wearing my doubtful face again. (more…)
I think the signing of a new player, albeit only on a four and a half month loan, marks a bit of a turning point in the club sale saga. I suspect what it means is that Ashley is more or less resigned to failure (again) in his attempts to sell the club and is preparing to remain as owner until at least January.
I’m guessing we’ll see a new manager appointed shortly, probably Joe Kinnear if he’s fit enough. I just can’t see too many other managers being interested in working under Ashley with an extremely tight budget and with a short-term outlook on things. Red Adair would be a good choice.
As to the players that have gone, the list currently numbers nine – Owen, Viduka, Cacapa, Lovenkrands, Edgar, Nacho, Martins, Bassong, Beye – and if Duff and Steven Taylor leave too that’ll be eleven players who’ve gone and one who’s been brought in.
Personally, I’d rather we’d kept Steven Taylor, Duff, Bassong and Beye and got rid of Coloccini, Barton, Nolan and Ryan Taylor, although some or all from that latter group may yet depart. I know Barton’s not a bad player and should shine in the Championship but, sorry, I just think he’ll screw up again – either on or off the pitch – and as far as I’m concerned he’s too much of a risk. As to Coloccini, well, he simply hasn’t done it for us and I would love to see us get a decent fee for him and send him on his way (by invisible bicycle maybe). (more…)
Newcastle draw Huddersfield in the Carling CupNewcastle have a home draw against League One’s Huddersfield in the second round of the Carling Cup.
Huddersfield are currently managed by Geordie Lee ‘Jigsaw’ Clark who played for us between 1990-1997 and 2005-2007, the latter period including time as first team coach and reserve team manager under Glen Roeder.
I don’t think it’s fair to once again mention the ‘Sad Mackem Bastards’ T-shirt Lee Clark wore to the 1999 FA Cup final whilst he was a Sunderland player, so I won’t.
According to The Chronicle, Mike Ashley and Barry Moat are both due at a dinner in aid of The Newcastle United Foundation at St James’s Park on Saturday, although they’re apparently forbidden to discuss anything to do with Moat’s alleged bid for the club (why?).
