Ian McGarry has been speaking on the latest episode of The Transfer Window podcast with Duncan Castles, and he has revealed that the Premier League might make an announcement on Newcastle United’s takeover.
McGarry left most of the talking to Castles on the Toon’s proposed takeover, but he did provide an interesting point.
Here is what he had to say on the Premier League and the takeover of Newcastle in full.
“I am not saying [the Premier League] are briefing because that would be too strong, but there have been some indications, subtly, that they may make an announcement this week regarding the decision on the Saudi Arabia takeover of the St. James’ Park club.
“Now, it would be unusual for them to do that, that’s for sure; usually they leave it to the clubs to make these announcements, but given the controversy which has both engrossed and surrounded this particular bid for a Premier League football club – it may be the case that the Premier League decide to take the reins and say ‘right, okay we are going to give you our response’.”
McGarry, therefore, seems to feel as if because of the extraordinary circumstances around this takeover, the Premier League might actually announce their decision.
Do you think the Premier League will make a decision soon?
Yes, it can't go on much longer
No, this will still drag on
TIF Thoughts…
McGarry does not indicate which way that he thinks the PL will choose (23:16), but it would be nice, either way, to have some closure on this deal that has left Newcastle in a state of limbo.
Contracts are expiring, and the current regime don’t want to make any decisions because they feel as if they are on the way out, and the potential new owners have not even had contact with Steve Bruce – so they have not managed to do anything. (12:55)
The takeover deal has been agreed with Mike Ashley since April after Amanda Staveley’s Saudi-backed consortium paid him a deposit.
However, since then, the deal has been with the Premier League going through all of the required checks with concerns over piracy, causing real issues.
However, if McGarry is to be believed (23:16), then the Premier League might finally make a decision soon.