Sky Sports journalist Pete Graves has said that the status of a potential takeover at Newcastle United is “delicate” but that trusted sources leave him hopeful over a deal being completed.
The Newcastle-supporting broadcast reporter claims on his personal Twitter account that no one involved in discussions is speaking to the media but that those close to the situation on Tyneside are positive over Mike Ashley agreeing a deal.
It's delicate I'm afraid. Wish I could say more. Neither #nufc OR interested parties are speaking to the media. Why would they? BUT people I trust with excellent ties are still positive. I've ended up wrong before (last year), so I remain cautious but I'm optimistic. ? https://t.co/xdCKldoKUt
— Pete Graves (@PeteGravesTV) December 30, 2018
The Magpies have been up for sale for over a year as the British businessman looks to end his decade-plus long ownership at St James’ Park, but recent reports have suggested prospective owners do not possess the capital to seal a deal.
Opinion
Some good news over a Newcastle takeover? It might seem like very little to go on but Graves is someone not only with a personal interest in the Magpies but someone with great professional connections who seem to be optimistic that a deal could well happen regardless of the reports circulating before new year. Getting rid of Ashley is perhaps every Newcastle fans’ dream scenario but despite the club being up for sale it has never really looked like becoming a reality. Now things are quiet on the public front but that does not mean things are not going on behind the scenes. Everyone saw how the well publicised approach from Amanda Staveley turned out and it could be that the club, as well as potential investors, want to avoid a similar situation this time around. Fans might be getting impatient but it could well be that the first they hear of a takeover is a statement from Ashley revealing who he is selling to. That, or him taking the club off the market – the Toon Army’s worst nightmare.