Newcastle United’s top brass have insisted that the club is still up for sale at the club’s latest fan forum at St James’ Park.
The Daily Mail previously reported that owner Mike Ashley had made it clear to boss Rafa Benitez and the players that he was not intending to sell the club this season, but the board – which includes managing director Lee Charnley – have said that Newcastle remains on the market.
He adds that there has not been a lot of substantial interest, but has reinforced the fact that a sale is not on the cards just yet.
“The club remains for sale. The club has a very clear and reasonable process for individuals or groups who express an interest in purchasing the club. There has not been a lot of serious interest and a sale is not close as it stands,” the board said, as quoted by the Chronicle.
“The owner wants a fair price and has been open to the dating of payments to achieve a sale. In addition the buyer must be someone, or a group, that can take the football club forward and support it financially better than he can.
“It is important to disclose that there have been groups who have expressed an initial interest, but who have been discouraged with proceeding due to the visibility and scrutiny that comes with the football club.”
OPINION
The fact that there is still the slight possibility that Newcastle could be prized away from the hands of Mike Ashley this season will be music to fans’ ears. When Ashley said that he had no intentions of selling this season, supporters must have thought that all hope was lost. They undoubtedly were condemned to the fact that they would have to endure Ashley’s stingy nature for yet another season. The supporters want the club to address the lack of depth within the squad in the transfer market, but with Ashley still present, the odds of that happening are very low. The club needs a new owner to come in with fresh ideas and the willingness to put money and effort into the team – and by the looks of things, the board have not ruled out a sale just yet. Fingers crossed that Ashley is ousted soon, or United will be stuck in a pickle for a very long time.
