Chronicle journalist Mark Douglas has claimed that he will be surprised if the Bin Zayed Group make another official statement about their prospective takeover of Newcastle United.
The Dubai-based consortium have been heavily linked with a move for the club, but Douglas believes that it will be the Magpies who will provide the next word on the matter.
During a Q&A for the Chronicle (17.57), Douglas was asked: “Do you expect with the rate the British media are again questioning their credentials BZG will make another official statement or even provide proof of deal?”
He responded: “Judging by the noises I’m getting from the BZG camp I’d be surprised if that’s the case.
“They’ve steered clear of going into any details of the deal so far – perhaps because of an NDA, perhaps, the cynics might say, because there isn’t much substance to it – so I don’t think there’s much more for them to add now.
“They say it’ll be two weeks before “Premier League processes” are complete and are urging people to wait and they’ve stuck to that since Wednesday. It would take something really significant to happen now for them to release another statement.
“Personally, I think the next word in this saga will come from NUFC. But what that will be, I don’t know.”
OPINION
This is Douglas essentially confirming what every fan has even fearful of the past few days – nobody really knows anything and the deal is not flying through at the initial rate that it was assumed it was. The BZG came out of the traps like greyhound chasing a rabbit, but since then it feels as if they’ve been running through treacle. The official statements they have made have been impressive and adamant, but ultimately have got us nowhere. The sad and frustrating reality of the situation now is that all supporters can do is wait and see what happens. It is likely to be Newcastle who make the next statement, predominantly because they haven’t made one yet, but if you’re waiting on one in the immediate future, don’t hold your breath. This arduous slog has a long way to go yet. In the meantime, all supporters can do is hope and pray.