A lot of Newcastle United fans have replied to a post from Dr Andreas Krieg that contains a link to an article about Philip Hammond and his potential role in the club’s Saudi-backed takeover.
The article claims that the former Chancellor of the Exchequer has been hired by Saudi Arabia to offer counsel to the country and also to possibly help with the piracy issue that has held up the Toon’s proposed takeover by Amanda Staveley’s Saudi-backed consortium.
The piece seems to suggest that he will be helping Saudi Arabia smooth over this issue to save their takeover.
This has drawn the attention of these Toon fans, who are intrigued by this.
Do you think this will help the takeover?
Yes, it is worth a try
No, seems pointless
The article makes this much more interesting than the headline. Of course, just remain guarded. We’ve seen more garden paths than Central Park.
— David Pick (@davidpick1987) July 23, 2020
@oldheatonian – interesting reading!
— Midland Mags (@MagsMelton) July 23, 2020
Strong move this. He is the one who was telling KSA what to do regarding Piracy. Now he’s working for them. Big shift imo. Money. #NUFCTakeover @stevewraith @geordiedentist @oldheatonian https://t.co/lVDLiULJoV
— Dean (@Geordeanio1892) July 23, 2020
Interesting https://t.co/6VriMvMWsm
— Dean Craze (@toonlad9) July 23, 2020
Perhaps the Saudi state are looking to him to navigate the political components in getting this deal finished.
— ? ??????? ??? ? (@RichardxRot) July 23, 2020
Thanks for pointing this out Andreas, can only be a good thing in my book
— Darren moat (@moat1968) July 24, 2020
The deal for Staveley’s Saudi-backed takeover of the Toon has been with the Premier League since April after a deposit was paid to Mike Ashley.
However, since then, nothing has happened, and the PL is yet to confirm whether the deal will be passed.
Meanwhile, issues over piracy have caused problems with this takeover.
Though it seems interesting that Hammond has been appointed, as according to Duncan Castles, the questions over piracy ended a month ago (05:18).
Either way, this news continued to attract the attention of these Newcastle fans, who wanted to know what this means for the takeover.
and this helps the takeover how?
— paul fordham (@fordy9287) July 23, 2020
@Nially_Caff WHAT DOES THIS MEAN!!
— Chris Thompson (@tomapony) July 23, 2020
Newcastle are in a state of limbo with the transfer window fast approaching, and though Steve Bruce has said that he has some transfers lined up, the club need a decision from the Premier League.
It is unclear if this arrangement between Saudi Arabia and Hammond will lead to a resolution on the takeover, but it certainly has these Toon fans talking.