“Terms have been agreed between us and Mike Ashley,” the BZG statement read, ‘These terms have been reflected in a document, signed by both parties, which has been forwarded to the Premier League. The proof of funds statement was forwarded to Mike Ashley’s lawyers on 17 April 2019.
“The so called fit-and-proper Premier League process is a standard procedure which will take time, and we are doing all we can to assist the Premier League during this process.”
However, according to Waugh, “As of earlier this week sources insisted that the owners’ and directors’ test – incorrectly referred to as the now-defunct fit-and-proper-persons test – had not started in relation to the Bin Zayed Group.”
The BZG statement might not say it directly but it hints that the owners’ and directors’ test is underway, using the present tense to say “We are doing all we can to assist the Premier League”.
It’s the first hint that all is not as it seems with the BZG takeover. To date, their claims have been met with silence from Newcastle and Mike Ashley – a sign that all is good for some and that there’s nothing in it by others.
Meanwhile, time is ticking on Rafa Benitez’s contract, which expires at the end of June. New owners won’t be in place by then and there’s less than two months left of the summer transfer window.
It all points to a rather miserable summer for Newcastle fans, one which started off with real hope.