Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has granted Peter Kenyon access to the club’s detailed financial accounts as advanced talks over a potential takeover deal continue, according to the Times.
The newspaper claim on their website that the bid led by the former Manchester United and Chelsea chief is the party which Ashley was referring to when he claimed a deal to sell the Magpies was “at a more progressed stage” than ever before on Sky Sports.
The report revealed the significant development that Kenyon, who is said to be being backed by US investors, has been given access to behind-the-scenes details of the club’s business as they move forward in negotiations.
Opinion
Things seem to be hotting up when it comes to a takeover on Tyneside, but the Toon Army have heard it all before – especially right before a transfer window. However, all the reports coming out seem to be pointing in the same direction when it comes to a takeover and the Times’ claims are the most revealing when it comes to the sort of stage negotiations might be at. It would be hugely unlikely to see anything done before the end of the year but it certainly seems as though progress is being made behind the scenes. Could Ashley spring a shock and get out of St James’ Park before the new year? Unless Kenyon has a seriously tempting offer on the table from the off it seems an impossibility, with negotiations likely to go on to ensure that both men have a deal they are happy with. What this means for the January transfer window remains to be seen, but it could be a case of good news, bad news if a takeover does happen.