Sky Sports journalist Pete Graves has said that he is still “optimistic” about the Newcastle takeover, despite a day of tumult.
The £350m takeover was reported in the Sun, with Sheikh Khaled saying terms had been agreed and contracts sent to the Premier League.
However, in a significant twist in the tale, links between him and the Man City owner Sheikh Mansour were downplayed on Tuesday and it was revealed that no proof of funds had been provided.
Graves also reported that there was more than one party still interested in buying Newcastle.
At the end of Tuesday he provided an honest update on where he thought the takeover was saying “I have remained positive despite all the negativity… I believe this is far more developed and likely than previous ‘bids’. Still cautious but optimistic”.
I have remained positive despite all the negativity. And although I've been let down before… Twice… I believe this is far more developed and likely than previous "bids". Still cautious, but optimistic. ?? #nufc https://t.co/LiJxI3ILvn
— Pete Graves (@PeteGravesTV) May 28, 2019
Key middle east sources say interest/desire to buy #NUFC is very genuine. Initial newspaper reports however seem ahead of where we stand. Mystery surrounding the group too, with links to #MCFC owners being played down this morning. Talks confirmed but no proof of funds yet. #SSN https://t.co/pRgmoEQPlA
— Pete Graves (@PeteGravesTV) May 28, 2019
OPINION
Twists and turns were always expected as soon as this tale went public, but that’s the issue for a lot of Newcastle fans. Big money takeover deals rarely play out in public like this with both parties generally under NDAs until contracts and signed and sealed. That doesn’t mean this is going to go the same way as the Amanda Staveley and Peter Kenyon deals, but there is definitely less optimism around it than when it was first reported, when it was claimed contracts had been sent to the Premier League. That appears to be a major jumping of the gun. However, Graves has good sources and he claims the bid is still well developed. Newcastle fans should remain cautiously optimistic too.