Simon Jordan believes that Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley could be set to sell the Tyneside club amid reports of a potential takeover.
Ashley is thought to be engaging in talks with Abu Dhabi-based Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan over a potential £350million takeover of Newcastle this summer, according to The Sun.
Former Crystal Palace chairman Jordan believes that Ashley’s and the club’s silence towards question over whether the club is set to be sold to Sheikh Khaled, suggests that a sale of the club could be likely to happen this summer and that the Newcastle owner is wanting to sell the club.
“I always thought the comments from Mike Ashley this season has been one that means he wants to sell. It’s been quiet, but when the selling side is quiet it’s normally a sign that a sale could be happening. That’s how these deals are done,” Jordan told Talksport on Wednesday [12:09pm].
OPINION
Jordan’s comments offer a very interesting perspective on the potential for Ashley to sell Newcastle this summer to Sheikh Khaled, with the former Crystal Palace chairman being highly experienced in negotiating deals involving club sales. As he suggests Newcastle’s relative silence on the progression of takeover talks could well be a sign that a sale is looking possible and could be done this summer. Newcastle supporters will certainly hope that Jordan is proven right and that club get some new owners who are willing to put more investment into the club, for Rafa Benitez to strengthen his squad and continue his improvement of the club. Jordan’s comments that he believes Ashley is wanting to sell the club now appear to be right, with previous cases where there was speculation the club was discussing a takeover ending with a swift denial from the club. A takeover would be the best outcome for all concerned with the club this summer, it would offer Ashley some return on his investment and give the Magpies a chance to make progress under a new regime.
