Matt Slater of The Athletic believes the deal that would see Newcastle United taken over by Amanda Staveley’s Saudi-backed consortium “will happen”.
It has been 84 days since the Premier League began their owners’ and directors’ test but there is yet to be any official communication regarding their findings and their subsequent decision as to whether or not they will sign off the deal.
One of the biggest concerns raised by those who are opposed to the deal is the issue of piracy and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) recently found Saudi Arabia to be behind BeoutQ, a pirate television service on which Premier League games have been broadcast illegally.
Slater suggested that the Premier League could use the leverage they now have over the Saudis for the greater good but also urged the buyers to meet them halfway.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Pod On The Tyne, he said: “There is a win-win here. The Premier League has never had more leverage over Saudi Arabia than it has right now, which is why I keep saying I think the deal will happen. We’ve gone a long way here, there’s an awful lot of face that could be lost here if this deal doesn’t go through. If Saudi Arabia wants this club, it wants a Premier League club, would you please meet the Premier League halfway?”
Are you confident of the takeover being completed?
Yes
No
TIF Thoughts…
In our view, if those presiding over the checks were going to reject the deal, they would have done it by now. Perhaps they are seeking a number of assurances from the Saudis in regards to the complaint raised by BeIN Sports, one of the Premier League’s broadcast partners.
Slater is still optimistic about the outcome of the lengthy checks and, therefore, perhaps those desperate to see the back of Mike Ashley should take encouragement from his words.