Although the latest news is suggesting a takeover could well be on the cards, Mike Ashley’s public comments on Monday went against just about everything he’s been saying over the last 12 months – with him doing anything but make a sale private.
His interview with Sky News appeared to be a deliberate attempt to get information across and push a sale through, yet completely contradicts what he has said about a previously sale when dealing with Amanda Staveley – criticising her for making it too public when it all fell through.
When previously stating that no talk of a sale would be played out through the media, he’s openly marched into Sky’s newsroom and couldn’t have been much more open about it all.
"It's possible" – Mike Ashley says he is in talks to sell Newcastle United in a deal he hopes will go through before the January transfer window
Follow the story live here: https://t.co/gBKMWi1B7Q pic.twitter.com/ZRanUhJMAL
— Sky News (@SkyNews) December 3, 2018
As things stand, it sounds like things are going well and those behind the scenes are optimistic – and that’s great – but this just shows what sort of bloke these interested parties are dealign with.
Last year, during talks with Amanda Staveley, Ashley was unhappy that details regarding a potential bid were leaked through the media, with him wanting any details to be kept private, demanding that a non disclosure agreement was signed.
As we know, the sale fell through – although there were question marks over how genuine the interest actually was.
I find it very hard to believe that Ashley’s interview was just off the cuff, there is NO way that he would just dish out information about takeover talks without a motive.
The motive could be to push on any potential interest in order to get a concrete bid in time to do a deal before January, or it could also be to start a bidding war if he’s aware of interest from more than one party. Either way, it’ll have huffed a few.
Ashley's showed what a hypocrite he was on Monday.
He's been moaning for 12 months that any takeover deal has been made too public, yet he couldn't help himself when Sky asked the question.
Just hope it doesn't end up backfiring as it's everywhere right now. #nufc
— Black&WhiteBarmy (@BlackWhiteBarmy) December 5, 2018
Ashley is a shrewd businessman and very clever/manipulative when communicating with the media (as we have seen in previous interviews), however his latest comments are so contradictory and rather hypocritical.
I just hope this deal does go through and doesn’t fall flat like we saw this time last year.
Getting a bit picky there Olly.
Brrrian(Quote)
I believe the deal is close, but the worry is Ashley is looking to line his pockets first, before looking after the club in contradiction to his statements about a new owner needing to take the club forward. I have heard Kenton’s deal will saddle the club with debt.
BillytheFish(Quote)
I didn’t write this mate.
I do think it’s very hypocritical mind. He does what suits him.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)