Martin Samuel has just told Sky Sports that the proposed Saudi-backed takeover of Newcastle United is ‘genuine’ and should now go through – despite a late flurry of complaints.
This represents a significant shift in stance from Mike Ashley’s go-to guy in the media – who was part of his shameless PR interview in 2019 – with him now changing his tune and insisting the deal is real and expected to be completed.
Here’s what he’s had to say when speaking on Sunday Supplement – shown on Sky Sports News in the last few moments:
“I think this one’s genuine.
“I think this one goes through.
“I think it works as a business proposition.”
A bit of a U-turn from Samuel, but one that suggests complaints from BeIN Sports and Amnesty International will have NO bearing on the Saudi-backed bid.
He first stated that ‘alarm bells were ringing’ last week, suggesting Staveley was yet to agree on a price – despite widespread reports confirming all elements of the deal were ‘agreed’ – and then reported that Mike Ashley will come away with £17m if the deal collapses, choosing to side with the idea of it falling through even when such a huge non-refundable deposit was a clear sign that it was happening.
A few days later, however, he’s not only reported (in his latest column for The Mail) that a deal is a matter of when not if, but appears to have accepted defeat on Sky Sports this morning.
Time to re-stock the fridge with a few more cans?
Hate this bloke – this must be breaking his Heart – ******!
Ash Hater(Quote)
He can hardly string a sentence together.
t00nraider(Quote)
He main point was about FFP actually. Too many paranoid fans.
Phil(Quote)
Just let’s get it done
For me the excitement can then start
John Lunn(Quote)
I’m happy for the Geordie fans, They won’t be caring who bought it Just get top 4 again, Samuels? All you get is a string of “ums”.
david harris(Quote)
The sooner this takeover happens the better then the geordie faithful can party for a week lol. Season after season we fight for survival under Ashley a man wit no ambition. He has one aim to line his pockets wit all our money. The Saudis will change that the feel good factor back people wanting to go to matches. A fresh start is needed so Bruce has to go, I mean his way of football is way to defensive at times he is clueless. The only reason he got the job was nobody else would take it, we need a proven world class manager to get us into the elite of football where we should b.
Browny(Quote)
Fridge stocked with beer for party time when it completes……F–k Off Mike and buy the SMB
rosco(Quote)
Martin samuel,who’s that? never played a game of football in his life. All these people complaining about Newcastle know that once the club has someone to invest into it properly we will become the biggest team in the land. You only have to look at the attendance every week even when we were in the championship..our loyalty is about to be rewarded.
kai(Quote)