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Waugh believes Ashley still discussing a deal is a positive

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Image for Waugh believes Ashley still discussing a deal is a positive

Trusted journalist Chris Waugh provided an update on the current state of affairs regarding a potential takeover of Newcastle United and shared it was a positive sign that negotiations were still on going.

The Chronicle reporter during a question and answer session for the regional newspaper on Thursday shared that while Ashley was set to remain the owner of the Magpies until the end of January as the Premier League hadn’t been informed that a change of ownership was about to occur, in his opinion the businessman may still seal the sale of the club before the season finishes.

Waugh revealed that in his opinion it was a positive that Ashley was still discussing a sale as opposed to how at a similar time last year he ended talks with Amanda Staveley and PCP Capital Partners regarding their pursuit of the club.

“The pre-Christmas letter which emerged last week proved there is interest from Kenyon – even if it did highlight that a takeover is not necessarily imminent, given that his consortium simply do not yet have the funds to meet Ashley’s £300m asking price,” wrote the journalist for the Chronicle.

“One suggestion from the Ashley camp has been for Kenyon to join forces with a rival consortium led by ex-Manchester City CEO Garry Cook, but as of yet it is unclear if that avenue is being pursued.

“The Premier League has yet to receive notification that a takeover is about to happen at St James’ Park, and their fit-and-proper-persons test usually lasts for a few weeks, too.

“Therefore Ashley is set to remain owner until the end of the current window – and he is waiting for one of the four interested parties to finally meet his asking price.

“The fact that negotiations are still on-going is a positive in my view though; Ashley hasn’t ended talks like he did with Staveley, and that suggests something could still happen before the end of the season.”

OPINION

While Waugh explaining that Ashley is set to stay in charge until the end of January is expected if disappointing, at least he reveals why he believes fans should stay positive. Talk of a Magpies takeover has slowed down after there was a lot of hope ahead of Christmas and supporters are just waiting for the day where there appears to be significant process. Yet it’s a good sign that Waugh is still feeling somewhat optimistic that Ashley will seal the sale of the Magpies before the 2018/19 season ends as given that the Chronicle are normally very accurate with their information regarding the goings on behind the scenes, the reporter is a trusted opinion. The only downside about this update is that fans will focus and worry about what this means for the January window as the Magpies haven’t exactly covered themselves in glory regarding transfers for the last couple of seasons. The Magpies do need to get some business done this month as Rafa Benitez’s side clearly needs strengthening for the second half of the campaign. 

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