Taking to Twitter amid the takeover saga currently engulfing Newcastle United, Professor Simon Chadwick – who is Professor of Sports Enterprise and Director of the Centre for Sports Business at Salford University – claimed he’d done some digging around the likelihood of the Saudi Arabian state buying the Magpies.
Have done some more asking around in Saudi Arabia about likelihood that state acquisition of NUFC will go ahead. Most mystified by rumour. Increasingly common response among people in sport industry: 'why would we buy Newcastle when we have the money to buy Manchester United?' pic.twitter.com/vrjbMAejhC
— Professor Simon Chadwick (@Prof_Chadwick) January 30, 2020
Indeed, with the country’s Public Investment Fund strongly linked with a move to finally take over from Mike Ashley after 12 years on Tyneside, Chadwick suggested that those he’d spoken to hinted those from the Middle East were claiming they had the money to buy Manchester United, potentially making a move to acquire the Toon somewhat pointless.
Still, it has previously been reported by the Independent that they did indeed try to purchase the Red Devils but were knocked back, potentially sparking their interest in Newcastle.
So, amid this latest take on what is turning into another saga, here’s how fans on Twitter reacted to Chadwick’s comments.
#NUFC have massive fan base. Rich owners could buy back land MA sold, and potentially extend SJP, which could easily sell out 60k plus if team doing well/playing good stuff. Currently streets behind rich clubs in world wide fan base, but success/hype changes that, see Chelsea &MC
— Paul Harrison (@moonhoover) January 30, 2020
https://twitter.com/RJT971/status/1222823779371569155
https://twitter.com/GeordieDubravka/status/1222822528172904449
That is perhaps the most GCC football man thing to say. No idea of the context or nuance of owning a club.
— Mitch Freeley (@mitchos) January 30, 2020
Sounds like wishful thinking
— Dave Rees (@johndavidrees) January 30, 2020
I’m sure they same was said about Manchester City, they were nowhere before their takeover.
— Andy Hone (@andyhone) January 30, 2020
Where do you stand on the potential takeover? Join the discussion by commenting below…
