Loads of Newcastle supporters have been reacting on social media to the various reports of a takeover by Dubai-based billionaire Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan.
The Sun, for one, claimed Mike Ashley had agreed to sell United to the cousin of Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour for £350million, and stated that contracts had been signed and submitted to the Premier League for approval.
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail ran claims from the closest working associate to Sheik Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan that a deal had been ‘concluded’, and that our potential new owner was insistent on Rafa Benitez remaining in charge.
At the time of those reports, however, the Chronicle poured cold on the claims by stating that Newcastle chiefs had refused to confirm one way or the other the validity of Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan’s interest. They also questioned what the priority of the founder of the Bin Zayed Group – a leading group of businesses with diverse interests in the local and international markets – would be. Debating whether it was to make funds available for the transfer market or retain the boss, whose contract expires on June 30.
Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan also made moves to buy Liverpool last year for £2billion, but “did not get past the vetting stage because it was deemed neither credible nor worthy of being put to the ownership” as he required outside funding of £750million.
Since then, however, the Chronicle have added that senior Newcastle chiefs have confirmed the interest in a takeover, but the suggestion of a deal being done was far from the truth.
Discussions will likely now continue before Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan’s bid is put to the Premier League’s Owners’ and Directors’ Test.
Although when word was shared on Reddit as news first broke of the potential takeover, not every Newcastle supporter was instantly ecstatic…
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