A lot of Newcastle United fans have replied to a tweet from NUFC 360, which has circulated a rumour regarding prospective Toon owners PIF.
It claims that PIF has an eye on Serie A giants Roma as a potential fallback option if their proposed takeover of Newcastle does not get Premier League approval.
According to the Daily Star, Roma have put out feelers towards PIF to see if they would be interested in investing in their club, though current owner James Pallotta believes the group’s purchase of the Magpies will be sanctioned by the Premier League.
The deal that will see PIF take an 80% stake in Newcastle (and fronted by Amanda Staveley) is currently with the Premier League going through the required checks.
There have been numerous challenges to the takeover from the likes of BeIN Sports and Amnesty International.
Does this concern you?
No
Yes
If this report is to be believed, Roma will seek investment from PIF if the Premier League refuses to ratify the takeover.
Naturally, talk of PIF having an apparent backup plan has worried some Toon fans.
If the takeover of #nufc falls through, the Saudi PIF will turn their attention to AS Roma or a La Liga club. [La Gazzetta dello Sport]
— NUFC360 (@NUFC360) May 14, 2020
So it’s off
— Kieron ?? (@PrivKieron) May 14, 2020
Take it that its off otherwise wouldn’t say that
— Kyeron100 (@kyeron100) May 14, 2020
That’s that then
— newcastle united football cans ?????? (@ash_moralee) May 14, 2020
Yep knew it there heads have been turned
— ToonBarmy2 (@Barmy2Toon) May 14, 2020
that would be the worst thing, seeing another club do what we could of?????
— Evan Milburn (@evan_milburn) May 14, 2020
If this does happen I’ll turn away from football for good. Football in general is a joke just look at the carnage when club’s can’t play for a few months. Near collapse of the sport.
— Geordie Pet (@Paul25344530) May 14, 2020
Sad . . . we deserve more then this . . . I was seeing light at the end of the tunnel . . . if it was any other premier league team being bought, it would have been a totally different story. The hate that we get as nufc and supporters is at a different level . . .
— raj sehmi (@rajsehmi) May 15, 2020
What do we think?
While the report states that Roma still expect the Premier League to grant approval to the deal, it appears that they are waiting in the wings in case the takeover is rejected.
Understandably, this has worried some Toon fans, but we recommend that they stay calm.