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Douglas: No way takeover complete by end of June

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Chronicle journalist Mark Douglas has claimed that there is “no way” a takeover of the club will be completed by the end of June.

Rafa Benitez’s current contract with the club expires on the 30th of the month, but Douglas is adamant that there is no chance of the Bin Zayed Group being at the helm on Tyneside by that date.

Writing in a piece for the Chronicle, he said: “Bin Zayed continue to claim progress but my understanding is that there is now no way the practicalities of any takeover can be completed before the end of June and Benitez’s contract D-Day.

“That doesn’t rule out the chance of it being nearly complete by then (although it’s unlikely) but the direction of travel would have to change – and unless there is the equivalent of a big black-and-white bang and things quickly fall into place, the only certainty in the coming days is continued uncertainty.”

OPINION

To be honest, this doesn’t come as much of a surprise, does it? Nobody was really expecting the deal to miraculously be wrapped up in the next fortnight, but having Douglas’ confirmation on it seems to really dispel any lingering hopes that the Toon Army might have had. Now though, the focus must firmly be on getting the Benitez situation sorted out. It is up to the current owners, regardless of what may come over the rest of the summer, to ensure that they tie the Spaniard down to a new deal. After a decade and a half of ownership that has bordered on incompetent at times, it is the very least they can do. Forgiveness is something that Mike Ashley must realise he will never achieve on Tyneside, but this would be a parting gift that would go some way to ensuring he has a relatively amicable send-off. That being said, never put it past the controversial businessman to plumb new depths, and don’t take for granted his supposed departure.

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