A presenter from Saudi Arabia tweeted an image of the Newcastle United crest and a photograph of the Magpies players celebrating a goal, sparking more controversy regarding a potential takeover of the club.
Newcastle were the first of the top-flight competitors to put their non-first team staff on furlough in order to protect the future of the club (via the Guardian). However, it also emerged that the Premier League have been formally informed that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is attempting to buy out Mike Ashley.
So could the tweet be a sign that progress is being made in the negotiations? Here’s what some of the fans had to say.
April fools ain’t a thing in Saudi right?
— Dell ? (@agbnufc) April 1, 2020
Don’t start with this again man.
— Paul (@PHarnett24) April 1, 2020
Please please take us over pleaseeeeeeeeee
— Kyeron100 (@kyeron100) April 1, 2020
— Liam (@Liam_Reay83) April 1, 2020
@AisforAnderson do they do April fools day in Saudi?
— Matty Locke (@Mattylocke) April 1, 2020
@brewerton_mark shock this happens on April 1st…
— Sam Routledge (@Routledge_Sam) April 1, 2020
I’ll believe it more tomorrow ?
— freddie (@fhoy79) April 1, 2020
Will a deal with Mike Ashley for the club finally be agreed in the coming months?
Yes
No
What do we think?
It’s clear from the responses that many of these Newcastle United supporters are reluctant to read into the post from fear of having their hopes built up and being disappointed. Mike Ashley is a hugely unpopular figure amongst the fans and if he is to sell the club we believe with the right investment, given their large following, they could well go on to achieve bigger and better things.