Newcastle United’s takeover saga took another drastic turn on Wednesday.
American entrepreneur Henry Mauriss placed a £350m bid to buy the Tyneside club but was asked to pay a 5% deposit to illustrate his legitimacy in his attitude towards taking full control of the Magpies, as per Chronicle Live.
This comes way after retail tycoon Mike Ashley originally accepted a £300m offer from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) who are looking to take 80% of the club’s shares. Although the deal has been put on ice due to the World Trade Organisation’s investigation into their involvement in piracy.
Speaking with the Shields Gazette, journalist Liam Kennedy provides a bold prediction which will excite the St James’ Park faithful.
He said:
“The Saudi deal is almost as close to a done deal as you can get. I don’t want to get anyone excited when I say that but the contracts are signed, deposits paid and the league are doing their checks. If, and it is still and if, the Premier League give the green light all that will remain is for the funds remaining to be paid.
Even with Kennedy’s verdict on what could be a huge turning point in the club’s history, questions are still to be answered in respect of the Premier League. It has been known for some time that all of the paperwork regarding the deal with PIF has been completed.
How confident are you of the takeover bring approved?
Extremely
I have doubts
Not very
Whether the WTO report will have a significant impact on their decision is still a mystery. Masters is keeping his cards close to his chest and the fans continue to be kept in the dark, as usual.