If yesterday’s 3-0 win over Sheffield United was enough, some extremely positive claims on the takeover front then emerged late last night.
This comes after the usually cautious (dare I say pessimistic?) Craig Hope released a new piece for the The Mail, stating that his sources close to the £300m deal told him for the first time on Sunday night that it’s finally ‘close’ – and expect the Saudi-backed bid to be APPROVED in a matter of days, barring any unforeseen last minute hitches.
Interestingly, this comes after TWO separate Saudi authorities pledged to clamp down on piracy over the weekend, something his sources insist is ‘no accident’ in relation to the takeover.
He also reports that the increased involvement of the UK government – who are ‘keen’ to strengthen their ties to Saudi – has also helped make the Premier League’s mind up.
He’s also just appeared on talkSPORT this morning, insisting once again that his reliable sources moved from ‘cautious’ to hugely optimistic on Sunday night.
So, both Craig Hope’s latest piece and the promising Saudi movement that’s emerged over the weekend suggests a compromise may have been found that allows both piracy to stop and a NUFC takeover to happen?
Here’s a snippet from his latest piece for The Mail:
The Premier League are nearing an announcement on the Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle with the expectation it will be approved, sources have told Sportsmail.
Those close to the process who have previously urged caution with regards timing are now saying they have been told a formal statement on the decision is close and, barring any further revelations, it could be this week.
They also believe the £300million deal is likely to go through given what they say has been an increased level of involvement by the UK government, who it is said are keen to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia.
Other sources close to the deal say it is ‘not by accident’ that two separate Saudi authorities yesterday pledged to clamp down on broadcast piracy in the country.
Not only that, there’s been several other reporters to back up Hope’s Sunday-night claims, with The Mirror’s Simon Bird and chief writer Ollie Holt also suggesting good news is around the corner.
It may feel like we’ve been here before when it comes to a takeover being ‘close’, but with the WTO report released and the Saudis now clamping down on piracy, there’s both positive signs emerging and no way this can drag on much longer.
After three draining months, could this Saudi takeover saga be set to finally end in good news this week? It’s looking more and more likely!
Well, the premier league will not make any announcement anyway.. they just inform Newcastle and PIF of the decision. I do think that it will have been approved though and I expect that they will have even said to PIF… “look guys, the WTO report is damaging, can you release at statement to say you are sorting it out so that we can then move along and complete”.
Craig Chisholm(Quote)
Having read through the WTO report and the claims from the football leagues, tennis federation etc and listened to those who have actually experienced the behaviour of the Saudis I just can’t understand why the Premier League are giving the Saudis a chance.
It all seems a bit like Letting Harold Shipman off with a warning as long as he promises not to kill any more patients, or releasing Josef Fritzl as long as he promises not to lock up any more of his daughters.
Unless you are watching Minority Report punishment is doled out for past behaviour. It’s scandalous if they let the Saudis buy us on a promise that they behave better in the future.
Helen Clarey(Quote)
If you stop the Saudis buying NUFC then you have to stop them buying shares in all UK businesses. If you stop the Saudi’s buying football clubs then you have to stop other dubious regimes buying clubs, and several already are in the ownership of dubious regimes. It is even questionable whether the UK now counts as a dubious regime, given the reports over the last few years. What you cannot do is say it’s ok to do whatever you want only you must not buy into this one particular club.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Because the owners’ test is applied to individuals not the countries they live in. No individuals were named in the WTO report so the premiership have no grounds to prevent the takeover on the basis of the report. If they did they would in effect be stating MBS has been implicated and proven to be responsible for piracy, and he has not. They would risk having a defamation court case the likes of which they have never known.
mactoon(Quote)
Helen
Have you complained to the Queen for giving the Saudis an audience recently or to the Government for dealing with billions of pounds of trade deals with them?
Perhaps you didn’t read Dominic Raab’s email of thanks to them for the millions of items of PPE given to the NHS to combat Coronavirus or James Cleverley’s email to them thanking them for the millions they have donated to this country for mediacl research on the Coronavirus?
Perhaps you have moaned and made your point to Boeing, Marriott, Citibank, Bank of America, Facebook, Twitter, Disney, BT, BP etc for accepting all of their money in the last few months. In fact BT only this week.
No? Thought not. Your biased opinions mean nothing. Jog on.
taken4mugs(Quote)
We can sell them jets , tanks and ammunition but they are not allowed to own and hopefully invest in our football club . Does the WTO report stop them from trading with countries if they have damaged trade by turning a blind eye to piracy , or does it only stop them buying Newcastle . far too many people getting involved and stirring the pot .
floyd(Quote)
Spot on mate.
Kevin Brown(Quote)
It all seems a little selective doesn’t it?
The people who complain about the Saudis don’t mention their governments interaction or trade with the Saudis, they put petrol in their cars, take their children to Disney or use Uber taxis all of which are connected to the Saudi empire yet as soon as they want to buy Newcastle United the complaints and outrage surfaces.
I don’t condone anything they may have done which goes against human rights or piracy but I would ask anyone who doesn’t agree with the way the Saudis conduct themselves to direct their complaints to the right level.. their government.
mactoon(Quote)