Mark Douglas has been speaking on the latest episode of the Everything is Black & White podcast and he spent some time discussing the potential takeover of Newcastle United.
The Chronicle reporter spent a lot of time on the interest from the Bellagraph Nova Group and provided a scathing assessment of their chances of buying the Toon.
It seems as if Douglas believes this group are not serious, and it is no wonder they have not had a response from Ashley because they have not hit the asking price.
He said: “The Bellagraph Nova Group, I can’t see it and then when you come out with doctored photos and things like that it’s just very difficult to take you seriously.
“Why do you have somebody claiming that they’ve got Alan Shearer on board?
“It’s like the clumsiest thing going. If they’ve got Michael Chopra involved in the group, he’s somebody who knows about Newcastle United, why can’t he turn around and say to them ‘look, don’t talk about Alan Shearer, don’t talk about signing Cristiano Ronaldo, the fanbase don’t want to hear that.’”
Then he went on to discuss the bid that the BN Group have made.
“Say they’ve bid £280m for the football club, you’re going to need more than that because £280m gets you in the football club if that’s accepted, which it never would be.
“That was the other thing Michael Chopra tweeting ‘we’re still waiting for a response’ – well, that’s not the asking price.
“So, you’re not going to get the club for £280m, so there’s your response, I don’t need to be a rocket scientist to tell you that.”
Do you agree with Douglas?
Yes, these were a joke
No, they will prove to be serious
TIF Thoughts…
The Bellagraph Nova Group’s interest in buying Newcastle emerged over a week ago, and it was claimed that Alan Shearer and Michael Chopra would be involved.
Since then, it has emerged that Chopra is involved, but Shearer is not, while a report from Reuters exposed the BN Group.
It made them look quite unprofessional, so it is no wonder that Ashley’s lawyers have not responded to the bid because they are not convinced it is a serious offer.
Ashley is thought to be preparing a statement that will label them and Henry Mauriss as time-wasters.
Considering the BN Group’s bid was £20m below Ashley’s asking price, this probably wouldn’t be a surprise.
So, while Douglas does not hold back in his assessment of this group, it is easy to see why they don’t convince him.