Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has reportedly walked away from negotiations with Amanda Staveley and PCP Capital Partners over a takeover of the club, and fans have gone into meltdown on Twitter at the news.
As reported by Sky Sports, there is no deal in place between Ashley and Staveley for a takeover to happen, and there is none under discussion either.
A source close to Ashley is quoted as saying: “It is only right to let the fans know that there is no deal on the table or even under discussion with Amanda Staveley and PCP.
The Sky source also added that discussions with the Dubai-based consortium had been “exhausting, frustrating and a complete waste of time”.
Staveley and PCP have been the frontrunners to complete a takeover of the club since Ashley put the Magpies up for sale several months ago.
The time since has been awash with rumours about negotiations between the two parties, with reports continually surfacing to suggest that a deal had been agreed before being rubbished by further claims.
The Daily Express reported this morning (Tuesday) that Staveley had submitted an improved bid of more than £300million for the club, but that claim has now been emphatically dismissed.
Fans have taken to Twitter to express their despair at the news, with many believing this spells the end for Rafa Benitez at the club, with the Spaniard becoming increasingly agitated by Ashley’s dealings.
This is Futbol have rounded up some of the best tweets:
— Miçhael Supplement (@MikeHWTL) January 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/DanWillan84/status/953342649615908864
Was never on, just been stringing us along. Can’t see Rafa hanging around #nufc
— Craig Downs (@craig_downs) January 16, 2018
I’m truly guttered , this is bad , I thought he wanted to get rid of the club
— JulieNUFC???????? (@julie_nufc) January 16, 2018
Bye Rafa we love you and it was nice while it lasted
— Chris Adams (@ToppaCa) January 16, 2018
Cancelling my season ticket now it’s not worth it anymore, no enjoyment in going, clubs going nowhere just a total waste of money, anyone with any sense would do the same.
— Kevin Wright (@1KWright86) January 16, 2018
Rafa has 6 million to spend which in itself is not going to save us, now the proposed deal is off it’s a monumentally black day for #NUFC
— Rob Nufc9 ?????? (@RobSimon9) January 16, 2018
New low.
— The Scoreboard (@toonandout) January 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/MickP1964/status/953341772419227648
I knew the longer this takeover dragged on the less likely it was to happen! You would think being a Newcastle fan that you would get used to the disappointment and being let down but believe me you don’t! This hurts #NUFC
— kris storey (@storeyboy14) January 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/JAChelton/status/953344896114593795
Mike Ashley never even had any intentions of selling the club! What have our fans done to deserve this man. MA is the cancer to Newcastle United football club. https://t.co/wviKx8nkND
— Easto (@EastoNufc) January 16, 2018
Absolutely gutted. ? #nufc
There is no club in the world that is as frustrating and mentally straining to support than Newcastle United. Fact. No arguments whatsoever.
— Sanjay (@nufcsanjay) January 16, 2018