Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has given the green light to requests made behind the scenes in takeover talks for more time to get certain aspects of the offers in place, according to the Chronicle.
The newspaper claim on their website that there have been discussions between Ashley’s representatives and prospective investors in the new year and that the British businessman had been asked to grant an extension for bids to be readied.
It is stated that the Sports Direct supremo has allowed the request to go ahead in talks in what will be a boost to Newcastle’s hopes of securing a takeover in the coming months.
Opinion
Ashley actually making a decision which could impact him financially and benefit others? Is this April the first? Are the Toon Army dreaming? In all seriousness, this demonstrates that Ashley is in fact serious about trying to rid himself of the club as soon as possible and that he will do anything that helps a sale go through. It does not bode well for Newcastle’s transfer window this month, with Ashley looking likely to remain past the winter market and thus will be reluctant to dip his hand into his pocket, but at least the supporters at St James’ Park can feel confident he is serious about securing a takeover. How long the extension that has been granted is, only Ashley and those involved will know, but the businessman should have a pretty good idea over who has any chance of meeting his demands in negotiations in the coming weeks. Hopefully there can be some good news for the Toon Army after what has been a testing season on Tyneside.