Speaking recently on the #NUFC Matters YouTube show, Ben Jacobs discussed the impact Newcastle United’s potential relegation could have on PIF’s interest in the takeover of the club.
Following a recent run of disastrous results, which has seen Steve Bruce’s side pick up just eight points from a possible 39 over their last 13 league fixtures, the Magpies currently find themselves just three points ahead of 18th placed Fulham, with 13 games left to play this season.
And, with Mike Ashley beginning arbitration proceedings against the Premier League in a desperate attempt to reignite the club’s failed Saudi Arabian-backed takeover, questions have been raised as to whether the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia would retain their interest in purchasing Newcastle should the club indeed drop down to the Championship at the end of the season.
This was one topic of discussion on a recent episode of the #NUFC Matters YouTube show, in which Jacobs stated his belief that the takeover could still go ahead even in the event that Bruce’s side drop down a division, although a number of factors would change within the deal.
He said: “PIF are saying openly – and again, I’ve made no secret of the fact that I’ve spoken to senior people within PIF – that this is a club they want and they note that their Newcastle United business plan and strategy is [for] between now and 2030 and of course beyond.
“The point is, they are unperturbed by the prospect of relegation in theory – they’re not talking about it and they’re not thinking about it – that’s my understanding.
“However, if relegation does actually happen, a lot of things change – the price would change, the actual physical body approving the deal would change, it would fall under the remit of the EFL instead of the Premier League and, in addition to that, Mike Ashley would naturally have a reaction as well – we may return to some kind of friction between Mike Ashley and the consortium. So, relegation will change a number of things.
“It will set back the deal in terms of – the word Newcastle United fans hate – time, and there would have to be a lot of patience, but it’s certainly not my understanding that if Newcastle went down it would just be a blanket walk away by PIF, but it may well make any kind of deal between the consortium and Mike Ashley a lot, lot harder.”
Do you think PIF will buy NUFC if they go down?
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TIF Thoughts on Ben Jacobs’ comments regarding the impact of relegation on PIF’s interest…
As such, if Jabobs is to be believed, it appears as if PIF and the consortium would indeed still be interested in the purchase of Newcastle United should the club go on to suffer relegation this season, however, a number of factors within the deal would change, which could complicate any deal for the club.
However, while relegation is something that no fan ever wants to experience with their club, it would seem that finishing in the bottom three this term may not be completely doom and gloom for the fans of Newcastle.