British businessman Peter Kenyon is edging ever closer to being in a position to launch a takeover bid at Newcastle United as he holds positive talks with potential investors to back his move, according to the Northern Echo.
The newspaper claim that while the former Manchester United and Chelsea chief is still some way off from actually having the funds available to try and buy current owner Mike Ashley out, he has been engaged in talks, primarily in the United States, for investment, and has had two parties express their interest in potentially supporting his bid.
Newcastle have officially been on the market for nearly a year now, but Ashley remains with a reported £300million-plus asking price on the club.
Opinion
Any news is good news about a potential takeover at Newcastle at the moment, but this could have been a better update for the fans. The members of the Toon Army who would have been hoping for a swift deal and the immediate exit of Ashley are set to be disappointed, for Kenyon does not seem to be in any sort of position to negotiate with the Sports Direct supremo right now, and there will have to be a great deal of patience shown from all parties involved. Still, the fact Newcastle as a club is registering interest from American investors is a good sign, and it could be that an upturn in the club’s fortunes on the pitch could result in better news off the field too. Still, Ashley is in charge right now and unless something drastic happens over the next month or two, he will be for the foreseeable future. Getting a new investor in before January’s transfer window would be the dream scenario for the supporters, but with three months to go, that might remain fantasy rather than reality.