A potential takeover at Newcastle is still on the cards despite talks cooling dramatically over the summer.
George Caulkin of The Athletic (subscription needed) reports that although talks between parties and Mike Ashley over the sale of Newcastle have fizzled out during the course of the transfer window, negotiations are yet to end and that if a takeover does happen it will likely come out of the blue.
Reports of a potential takeover at Newcastle emerged just before the opening of the summer transfer window, with BBC Sport reporting that Ashley was in talks with UAE billionaire Sheikh Khaled, a relative of Manchester City’s owner Sheikh Mansour, yet talks between the Arab investment group and the Sports Direct tycoon seemingly broke down.
The breakdown in talks meant that Ashley kept control of the club, resulting in former manager Rafa Benitez leaving Newcastle once his contract expired at the end of June, with Steve Bruce being brought in to replace the departing Spanish manager.
Indeed, the sale of Newcastle has been something supporters have wanted for a long time, with the club coming close to being sold in 2018 to businesswoman Amanda Staveley, however, that deal also broke down to much dismay from Magpie fans as reported by The Telegraph.
Despite remaining under Ashley’s this summer, Newcastle were fairly active in the transfer window, breaking their club-record signing for the second time this year in the form of Hoffenheim striker Joelinton, who joined the northeast side for a reported £40m according to BBC Sport.
Bruce also brought in France U-21 winger Allan Saint-Maximin from Nice for a reported fee of £20m according to The Daily Mail as Newcastle started the season fairly well despite the managerial and takeover drama happening in the background, with the Toon heading into the international break with four points from the opening four games.