Times journalist George Caulkin has weighed in on the speculation surrounding the new Newcastle takeover bid.
The Sun reported that contracts had been signed over a £350m takeover bid from Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan.
Newcastle confirmed that talks had taken place but that there was still “some way” to go, as quoted by Chronicle journalist Lee Ryder.
Caulkin said his policy “is to refrain from weighing in unless I’ve got something useful/interesting/factual to add.”
He said that Mike Ashley “has been in sale talks for a while now” and that “This is the time – as it was back in Nov/dec – for a deal to happen because it allows a buyer to influence that one vital are (aside from who the manager is), which is player trading.”
He added that “a number of parties have been (& still are) talking and some have got further than others.”
Caulkin went on to say “There is plenty of cynicism about this new report from those in and around the sale process. ‘It’s a word beginning with b’ one says. ‘That word isn’t brilliant’.”
However, he said that other bidders were convinced that Ashley wants to sell.
Caulkin delivered his extensive update over four tweets on Monday morning.
Morning! My policy on here is to refrain from weighing in unless I’ve got something useful/interesting/factual to add. On #Nufc takeover, the club won’t comment, the Premier League haven’t commented. What I do know, however, is that Ashley has been in sale talks for a while now.
— George Caulkin (@GeorgeCaulkin) May 27, 2019
This is the time – as it was back in Nov / Dec – for a deal to happen, because it allows a buyer to influence that one vital area (aside from who the manager is), which is player trading. A number of parties have been (& still are) talking & some have got further than others.
— George Caulkin (@GeorgeCaulkin) May 27, 2019
At this stage, it’s worth sprinkling a bit of salt on everything, if only because this is such a familiar path. And there is plenty of cynicism about this new report from those in & around the sale process. “It’s a word beginning with ‘b’,” one says. That word isn’t ‘brilliant’.
— George Caulkin (@GeorgeCaulkin) May 27, 2019
Other potential bidders believe that Ashley is serious about selling this time – albeit his mind has been elsewhere recently because of Debenhams fiasco – which is mildly reassuring but, again, we’ve heard that before. I think that’s about it for now. Cheers.
— George Caulkin (@GeorgeCaulkin) May 27, 2019
OPINION
George Caulkin is well respected for his journalism on Newcastle and he has very good sources. What’s really interesting about this is that he claims there are multiple parties currently talking with Newcastle about a takeover. He doesn’t come out with what Newcastle fans would love to hear – that a takeover is imminent – but he makes tow very good points. First, that this is the right time for a deal to be concluded and that bidders connected to the process think that Ashley is serious about selling. However, after talking to those close to the sale process, the news is less than rosy. The word beginning with ‘b’ that isn’t brilliant might well be the same one the Lib Dems were using in their recent Euro election campaigning. However, Newcastle have since confirmed that talks have taken place and the Sheikh would certainly have the funds if he wanted a deal to go through. We think there could well be legs in this one.