The Athletic’s Chris Waugh has recently shed light on Mike Ashley’s stance on the Saudi Arabian-backed takeover bid for Newcastle United.
Back at the end of July last year, it was first revealed that the Saudi-backed consortium had ended its bid to take over the Toon from Ashley (as per BBC).
It was claimed that Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund PIF ran out of patience with the Premier League’s owners’ and directors’ test.
However, despite that being almost six months ago, reports on the takeover are still emerging as it is still unclear whether it will be happening or not (via Chronicle Live).
During the latest episode of The Athletic’s Pod On The Tyne podcast, Waugh shed light on Ashley’s current stance regarding the Saudi-backed takeover bid.
He said: “I mean, from the buyer’s point of view, what has been clear and is clear from all sides, is that Mike Ashley is a very willing seller but he is also a very willing seller in terms of this specific deal.
“There has always been other interest out there, and over the past year, there have been other potential interested parties that even the buyers say some of whom they may have become potentially aware of.
“There’s no realistic prospect – as far as most of the people in and around the deal are concerned – that another bid is going to be launched until there is a definitive outcome from the Saudi heavily financed bid.
“So, Mike Ashley is the one who is leading the arbitration proceedings; everything has to go through the selling club.”
TIF Thoughts on what Chris Waugh said about Mike Ashley…
As can be seen in what the journalist had to say, he believes that Ashley is a “very willing seller” but particularly so in terms of the Saudi-backed deal still.
Does Mike Ashley's determination to sell the club to the Saudi-backed consortium earn some respect from you?
No, I don't think so
Yes, I think it does
Presumably, that is why the Toon initiated arbitration with the Premier League as Ashley is keen to force the sale of Newcastle to the Saudi-backed consortium through.
So, hopefully, for Toon fans, the club’s current owner sticks to his guns until all parties have the outcome that they are seemingly so keen for.