Former Premier League striker Kevin Philips has accused other Premier League club of possessing “sour grapes” over Newcastle United’s prospective takeover.
The Magpies are currently under a major transition as a football club. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has agreed to buy us for £300m from retail tycoon Mike Ashley, backed by Dubai’s Amanda Staveley and the Reuben brothers.
If the deal went through, it would bring to an end to his 13-year reign of terror on Tyneside after greatly upsetting us over the years. However, 10 Premier League clubs are attempting to block the PCP Partners’ bid to become majority shareholders.
Speaking to Football Insider, Philipps was confident that those clubs involved will not influence the Premier League’s final and long-awaited decision on the deal.
Will PIF takeover the club?
Yes
No
“Of course the clubs can express their concerns but I do not understand how they can have an actual input or actually influence the Premier League’s decision”, he said.
“The powers that be are there to do all their due diligence and tests – they will do everything. No stone will be left unturned because we have seen it happen before when somebody has taken over a club and it has not turned out well. They will have learned from that.
“Clubs will express their concerns but it is for the governing body to decide.
“No doubt there will be a bit of jealousy in there. A case of sour grapes.”
PIF would inherit 80% of Newcastle United, while Amanda Staveley’s PCP Partners and the Reuben brothers will take 10% each.
With the UK government now set to get involved in the club’s takeover, it could be a lengthy process until we hear about an official confirmation of the club’s takeover. Therefore it means having to put up with Ashley further than we all would have hoped for.
While Phillips is right in what he’s saying, it is best that we just concentrate on ourselves and wait patiently for things to pan out in the way that we all hope for.