Some intriguing and *potentially* exciting news has emerged once again on Amanda Staveley’s interest in Newcastle United, with The Chronicle reporting that the club are now ready to talk to the businesswoman – who is believed to have been backed with a whopping £7 billion by Arab investors in order to secure a Premier League club.
The rumours surrounding Staveley ignited just over two weeks ago after she attended our 1-1 draw with Liverpool at St James’ Park.
Since then her interest in the club has been mooted, however talk of her potential takeover – which would be backed by Arab investors – has died down somewhat.
Following Monday’s announcement that the club is now officially up for sale, her name as resurfaced however, with Southern and North East reports having offered some potentially exciting new details on her situation.
Firstly, Cambridge news have revealed that she has been handed a £7bn war chest by her Arab investors in order to secure a Premier League club. This figure emphasises that fact she is a serious player in this game, however she is believed to have her eye on a few different top flight clubs – one alleged to be Liverpool.
Secondly, The Chronicle have confirmed that Ashley is now receptive to open talks with the Yorkshire born businesswoman, suggesting movement between the two parties could occur over the coming weeks.
Finally, The Telegraph confirmed today that Staveley does hold ‘genuine interest’ in the club, claiming she is ‘at the front of the queue’ of prospective buyers looking to take Newcastle United off Mike Ashley’s hands.
Here’s a snippet of this from Luke Edwards’ article on NUFC’s takeover situation today:
‘Which brings us on to Amanda Staveley, the woman who appears to be at the front of the queue of prospective buyers. Her interest is genuine and, as the public face of the PCP Capital Partners firm, which is understood to control up to £30billion of Middle Eastern wealth, she is a serious player.
If Staveley decides to she wants to buy Newcastle a deal could happen relatively swiftly, but only if she is prepared to give Ashley what he wants. Although there have been claims the asking price has been lowered to less than £400m, others insist it remains around the £450m mark.
There is much to be thrashed out around the negotiating table. The problem is, those talks have not really started yet. There has been very little progress, as far as we know, although the signing of Non-Disclosure Agreements means details are bound to be sketchy.
Worryingly, Staveley has other clubs of interest. Newcastle are an attractive proposition and some would argue – including me – that they are the last Premier League club worth buying if you want to challenge for silverware, but that does not mean a more attractive alternative won’t appear. After all, Staveley has tried to buy Liverpool twice and failed. Is she also playing a game?’
It’s worth noting that he mentions here that talks have not yet started between Staveley and the club, however the latest update in The Chronicle suggests Newcastle are now ready for those talks to take place, suggesting a deal is most definitely there to be done if both parties can come to an agreement.
With this all coming little over 24 hours after Mike Ashley’s statement on Monday night, you might be thinking this takeover talk is all a bit exhausting, but these are positive developments regarding Staveley – a woman whose Arab billions could most certainly help turn our beloved football club into a force again.
They are part of an investment group????? Like private equity, they are just in it to make money so I wouldn’t get too excited just yet… 😛
BillytheFish(Quote)
You don’t think Abu Dhabi and Abramovitch are in it just to throw money away do you?
Stuart79(Quote)
Good to hear for of the club and hope whoever a new owner will support Rafa in order to make more progress in Premier league perhaps can end to the top ten in this season
Matsookee Daka(Quote)