Some conflicting stories have emerged on the takeover front this morning, with the Daily Mail and Chronicle reacting to The Times’ big claim that Amanda Staveley has set a two week deadline for Mike Ashley to accept her £250 million take it or leave it offer for NUFC in a one-off payment.
The Mail have responded stating Ashley will NOT accept a £250m offer, but could listen an up-front offer of £300m, whilst The Chronicle reveal that The Times’ talk of a two-week deadline is NOT true, claiming Staveley, PCP and NUFC are continuing talks.
No one really knows who knows what following the news of her opening offer a few weeks ago, however it is hard to ignore any potential nuggets of information on a buy-out that could make or break the future of our beloved club.
Here’s a round up of each story from The Times, The Mail and The Chronicle today:
The Times
“Amanda Staveley has given Mike Ashley a fortnight to accept £250 million for Newcastle United in a one-off payment.
“The Middle East-based financier is keen to press ahead with her attempt to buy the club and is concerned about running out of time. She wants to complete the takeover well before the end of the January transfer window and the Premier League requires 30 days once agreement has been reached to undertake due diligence and ratify the deal.
“Ashley has rejected proposals for a series of staged payments that would generate a higher total and the £250 million up-front offer is the only one on the table. The Newcastle owner had been hoping to get £380 million for the club and may have to revise.”
Amanda Staveley gives Mike Ashley two weeks to accept
£250 million offer for #NUFC, reports @MattHughesTimes https://t.co/IHHrj4ttmP pic.twitter.com/mrCW3E8jYG— Times Sport (@TimesSport) December 5, 2017
The Daily Mail
“Mike Ashley will NOT accept Amanda Staveley’s offer of £250million for Newcastle United, Sportsmail understands.
“Financier Staveley and PCP Capital Partners made formal their approach for the Premier League club two weeks ago.
“Reports emerged on Tuesday suggesting they have set a two-week deadline for Ashley’s response, although we have been told the offer is not acceptable.
“However, we believe Ashley would be willing to listen to a new offer in the region of £300m – especially if it contains no clauses – giving hope that a deal could yet be struck.”
Full story: Staveley offer of £250m for NUFC is NOT acceptable but, crucially, understand Ashley would listen to offer (with no clauses) in region of £300m. So hope yet deal can be struck. Negotiations ongoing. https://t.co/RKPsHqRk7m
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) December 5, 2017
The Chronicle
“Newcastle United’s talks with Amanda Staveley and PCP Capital Partners could stretch into 2018 – despite reports of a two-week deadline being set for a potential sale.
“The Chronicle understands that PCP Capital Partners have not imposed such a restriction during the talks and those discussions remain ongoing between the legal teams of both groups.
“And it has now emerged that Mike Ashley will be flexible in terms of a timescale for the club’s sale.”
Newcastle takeover talks set to stretch into 2018 – but PCP Capital Partners have NOT set a deadline https://t.co/20lrZRedQJ #NUFC
— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) December 5, 2017
