OPINION
Newcastle United’s supporters know by now not to get too excited about potential takeover updates, particularly with Mike Ashley running the club.
The Sports Direct tycoon is able to pull the plug on takeovers any time he likes, and there will be a concern amongst the fan base that he’s about to do just that.
The Chronicle reported on Wednesday that Ashley is concerned that the latest attempt to purchase the Magpies is being played out in public, something which put paid to Amanda Staveley’s attempts to wrest control from Ashley in 2018.
The Bin Zayed group are the latest party to make a move for Newcastle, but if Ashley is already becoming irritated by how the mooted takeover is going then that spells trouble, and the Magpies faithful will likely have their heads in their hands at the moment.
Obviously they’re ingrained not to get too excited about these things, because the rug has been pulled out from under them too many times before.
That will be the concern at the moment, particularly given Ashley’s stance at present. He is still waiting to see if a deal will be done, although both parties are thought to be on the same wavelength in regards to price. That’s something, at least.
But you’ve got to wonder whether the Newcastle owner may run for the hills again, because this latest takeover approach is already becoming something of a saga. You can’t blame Ashley for thinking that it’s playing out in the media, because it certainly feels like it is.
Still, hope remains that the club’s reluctant owner will soon give up his ownership stake. He’s right to be concerned with how things are going, but the team’s fans can only hope that Ashley doesn’t get cold feet again.
