Zero

Aye, it’s just step one. If this is step one, how long does the whole plan take? I expect one year including legal proceedings, if needed.

Aye, it’s just step one.

That problem is the reason the deal is dead. Aye. But this can be resolved. 1. Use public pressure to force PL to withdraw the ridiculous requirement. This is what they are doing. 2. Cut down PIF involvement so that they are no longer ultimate owner. As said this can be done as long as Reuben is willing to. I can win the lottery, but doesn't mean it's likely. 1. The PL won't care about "public pressure" from a number of NUFC fans. Why would they? 2. There was a reason they looked for investment from other parties. It's not going to happen with just AS and the Ruebens. 1. Well I don’t think it is impossible. No harm to try. And as I said this requirement is unfair, as clear as fuck. If the PL bows down to the public pressure, fine. If not, reconstruct the deal. 2. Yea but what I get from ASs interview is PL is asking to put SA as director because “the involvement of SA on PIF and in-turn PIF on the club is too significant”. Which is the composition of the 300m. If report is correct PIF is funding 80% of the amount (I.e. 240m) and thus they will be the majority shareholder. That also means as long as Reuben is willing to increase his shares, up to the point where he is the majority shareholder, the requirement might be lifted. In fact I wonder what would happen if the club changes their composition of shareholders in the future, say Reuben sold 20% of his shares back to PIF. Does this constitute as a takeover and subject to O&D test again?

I admit I am over optimistic this time because probably that’s the first time I know Ashley and the buyer are on the same boat. I genuinely think the deal could still happen (but need external help).

That problem is the reason the deal is dead. Aye. But this can be resolved. 1. Use public pressure to force PL to withdraw the ridiculous requirement. This is what they are doing. 2. Cut down PIF involvement so that they are no longer ultimate owner. As said this can be done as long as Reuben is willing to.

I do think the deal is not dead yet. The key is, unlike prior takeovers, this time Ashley do willing to sell and the buyer do willing to meet his asking price. They are on the same boat. Even if this got rejected as long as Staveley can come up a new deal the process can restart very quickly. That also probably explains why Staveley put no blame on Ashley and we also didn’t hear any bad words from Ashley against Staveley (Unlike last time). They still can make a deal. The problem is how to get SA funding AND pass the O&D test.

I guess probably he is enjoying his vacation in US. Seriously I think he can do nothing here, other than lowering his asking price to cut down PIF involvement, which he won’t. As suggested by someone here, the most viable option now is to cut down PIF involvement so that SA no longer required to be listed as director and subject to test. The key is in fact Reuben has the ability to do it. The question is whether he will do it now and why he didn’t do it at first place.

After a sleep and a detailed reading on Staveleys interview, I think it’s the end unless SA government steps in. The key is, putting a person or a company as a director and then subject to the O&D test is reasonable, but putting a country isn’t. Simply speaking, no country could pass the test. Just how? It’s mission impossible. The PL simply wanna reject to deal by putting this impossible hurdle out. Their stance is very clear here. However, I do think this is subject to legal battle because obviously PL has never put this requirement out in any prior takeovers. Not even Man City was required to put Qatar as its director. This unfair treatment against us is clear as fuck.

Basically the PL has not received the official withdrawn notice so they practically has to continue the test - and informed the club the result. Hail Mary it is. Well to be honest I think the only way it still can go through is a direct call from the prince to Boris and then Boris to Masters.

Because the American bid 350m which he accepted. The problem is now if the American pull the plug Ashley will have nothing but s***. We're just accepting "the American" is real and has no issue with chucking 50m more than an existing deal that was agreed? If they're that cash rich could be good times ahead Because 1. Golfmag is always right and 2. I don’t think Ashley would do such an insane action, trying to milk extra money during such a global crisis without anything on hand. Yea I know he’s dumb and he’s greedy but this is just impossible. This whole Covid disaster is going to have huge consequences and I guarantee you that UK (and in fact global) economy would be in deep shit for a certain years at least. I would go that far to say I won’t be surprised if SD would go bankrupt as a result. That’s what Hong Kong experienced 16 years ago during SARS. This 300m sales is the last chance he can get his return back within a short period of time. Look at the other clubs. Sancho asking price is falling. Kai Havertz sold for way cheaper than expected. No other clubs come in for Ake except Man City. Lots of small clubs couldn’t pay wages and may go bankrupt soon. The whole industry is taking serious hit and no one know how long it takes to go back to “normal”. I genuinely believe he has another bid on hand.

Because the American bid 350m which he accepted. The problem is now if the American pull the plug Ashley will have nothing but shit.

Well if I am “the American” I will pull out the deal now. The same fiasco could happen again.

That’s the only reasonable scenario atm. If the American pulled out later Ashley will approach Staveley again. Mark my words.

Okay. I know I am the minority. But my take is Ashley is the loser here. Basically PL dragged the process to the point where actually both sides can withdrawn (not only Ashley) and KSA decided to pull the trigger immediately. Ashley won’t be able to find another one who is willing to pay 340m under such global economic crisis era.

I genuinely admire Ashley if he do so. I mean, the counterpart is THAT guy. He could lose his life due to this.

Golfmag is real deal. I don’t want to say again, if you don’t believe him you may as well ignore every ITK here. What I wonder is whether EPL would publicly announce pass or fail or not after testing is done? Surely if it’s Ashley who holds up the deal then the testing should be done already which is definitely good news. But then I wonder why EPL say nothing in this regard. I am more inclined that his source is wrong and it’s the buyer that hasn’t provide the answer to EPL which holds up the deal.

As I said I think it’s day 1 now. The EPL stopped the whole process until season was finished.

I won’t change my stands - the process is on hold due to Covid and the PL would only make a decision after season ends.

Considering masters has already said they hope to have a resolution soon, that’s clearly not the case Coz the season is going to end this week?

My feeling is the PL simply tell all parties that due to Covid the test progress is postponed the season ends. The real intention is unknown but that’s why every parties are in the dark.

Cantona

I don’t think you need to defend for Rafa re transfer. Hit and miss is kinda objective throughout his career.

Those who question Golfmags reliability must be new here, or relatively new. In terms of reliability Golfmag is second to none here. If you question his info you better just ignore all kinds of “insider info” here.

Should the fiancé now write open letter to the world to boycott Disney, Facebook and Starbucks?

Yea the third letter. Newcastle United, unlike all other football clubs, other organisations or other governments, has to stand for justice.