Steve Wraith has been speaking on the latest edition of his YouTube show #NUFC Matters with Liam Kennedy about all things relating to Newcastle United.
One of the topics that the pair discussed was the proposed takeover of the Toon by PCP Capital Partners, PIF and the Reuben brothers that was withdrawn in July.
Since then, an arbitration case by the club has been launched against the Premier League over the takeover, with the consortium intending to bid again if the legal challenge is successful.
However, after the injuries to Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin and with relegation a real threat, Telegraph journalist Luke Edwards suggested that all takeover talks have apparently ceased, but that hasn’t stopped Wraith from believing that the deal will still go through.
He said: “I still believe the takeover is possible and will go ahead, but unfortunately, there are a lot of people out there who don’t believe that.
“Somebody’s going to be right. Until we hear from PCP and until we hear from the club and they say it is completely off and we’ve just got to move forward, then there’s always a bit of hope.”
Do you agree with Wraith?
No, he is wrong
Yes, it will happen
TIF Thoughts on Wraith’s comments…
It seems as if Wraith still thinks that despite this latest claim, the takeover will still happen, but after Edwards’ latest reveal, we can’t see a quick resolution if talks have stopped for now.
While Wraith may not have much by way of inside information into the behind-scenes negotiations, you can see his logic in holding out for a positive resolution.
Regardless of Edwards’ claim, it seems that the takeover has merely taken a backseat as their Premier League status takes priority in the short term.
One would imagine that aspect, at this stage, would have little impact on the merits of the bid, nor Newcastle’s attractiveness to the would-be buyers with plenty of the season still to play.
Newcastle still have 12 games to save themselves from relegation but still have to face the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur.
If they do go down, then the value of the club could fall by up to £100m and though the consortium apparently would still be interested in buying the Toon, would Mike Ashley be willing to sell for less than the fee he agreed nearly a year ago?
The best way to avoid finding this out is if the Toon can stay in the Premier League, and we hope they do, and we also hope that Wraith is right and the takeover does go ahead.