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Newcastle United takeover: Is a deal still moving forward for the Magpies?

By Roy Emanuel

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 07: Sports Direct International founder Mike Ashley walks into the Red Lion pub in Westminster before attending a select committee hearing at Portcullis house on June 7, 2016 in London, England. Mike Ashley is to face the Business, Innovations and Skills Parliamentary Select Committee on working practices at his Sports Direct Shirebrook Warehouse in Derbyshire. In a letter to his staff he admitted that the centre needed 'improvements' after investigations found that staff had been paid less than the minimum wage and ambulances had been called to the complex 76 times in two years as staff were 'too scared' to call in sick. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 07: Sports Direct International founder Mike Ashley walks into the Red Lion pub in Westminster before attending a select committee hearing at Portcullis house on June 7, 2016 in London, England. Mike Ashley is to face the Business, Innovations and Skills Parliamentary Select Committee on working practices at his Sports Direct Shirebrook Warehouse in Derbyshire. In a letter to his staff he admitted that the centre needed 'improvements' after investigations found that staff had been paid less than the minimum wage and ambulances had been called to the complex 76 times in two years as staff were 'too scared' to call in sick. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images) /
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Its all gone a bit quiet. Too quiet.

As 2018 draws near, an interesting (and frustrating) period has begun for Newcastle United supporters. Takeover talks involving owner Mike Ashley and Amanda Staveley seemed to be moving along quickly at one point, but now there seems to be significant concern that the deal is breaking down.

Reports yesterday stated that the two parties involved have a hit a wall in negotiations, specifically in regards to the overall purchase price. Ashley wants at least £300 million, while Staveley and PCP Capital Partners are offering £250 million.

There has been a sense that the club’s performances have complicated matters as well, with Newcastle only just above the relegation zone.

It was believed that the team’s poor run of form was not helping, as Staveley’s side wanted some type of financial insurance should the Magpies drop to the Championship again.

Still positivity in the air

There are reasons to believe that an agreement can still be reached, and that a new ownership group can take control of Newcastle United.

Amanda Staveley and PCP Capital Partners want to get this finalised, and Mike Ashley certainly appears intent on selling.

However, one irritating aspect will arrive during the upcoming transfer window. New owners were believed to be bringing significant funding, and that scenario simply will not take place.

Ultimately, Ashley will still be running the club through January. While that may not fill the Toon Army with hope for solid reinforcements in the line-up, he may see that adding talent will help to facilitate the takeover.

If Amanda Staveley and PCP Capital Partners are worried about relegation, the only way to erase that worry is by displaying that United will be a part of the first division moving forward.

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