Unbelievable

Carlos Slim wouldn’t have had to pay in installments was told it was only £100m up front. That’s like Carlos Slim’s children’s monthly allowance

Carlos Slim wouldn’t have had to pay in installments

Picture of the decade right here. Contrast that to this: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/gallery/skip-outside-st-james-park-9040315

It’s Short’s very generous terms upon selling that made him that profit and makes him look like a hero in the mackems’ eyes too, while Short gets the flack for their decade of living above their means at his expense.

It’s a pretty good summary of the last few days in this thread tbf

Hope with a mackem takeover exclusive. How ironic.

I just hope the Sheikh gets to read that in case he’s confused and that’s caused the hold up.

Not one of those facts is verifiable. Also, all it actually suggests is that BZG know the price. They haven't paid for the club. "That paperwork" just refers to a bit of paper passed to the league stating the price agreed. Theres no requirement for the sale to happen at all. Anyone could sign that bit of paper. That is if those FACTS are actually facts. If it were any other club I'd say it would happen, but us? No chance. Imma keep tweeting him asking how he knows they're facts. That said that's my only worry, I'm not interested in getting bogged down in semantics and future scenarios where Ashley torpedoes the deal. For me if they've written the agreement, provided proof of funds and details are with the PL as this lad is claiming then it's done. I disagree that none of the facts is verifiable; they all are if you have access to the evidence, which this Sun journalist may well have had through whomever leaked the story to him. If the PL has in its possession a head of terms document in which a price is agreed and which has been signed by Ashley and the other party than that's where we are (and according to the second statement have been for 6 weeks) and if this bloke has seen the document or seen credible evidence of its existence why should he not be allowed to state these are the facts. Because other journalists and fans don't have the access level he does and are bitter/anxious about it? If he has seen the evidence people being cynical about it/him doesn't change the facts, does it? We know his version of events has been validated in two separate statements from the buyer, which adds significant weight to his claims. My worry is not if these claims are true or not (they most probably are), but what progress has or hasn't been made since. We've been here before with Ashley, multiple times, although perhaps not quite this far. I won't be able to believe the club has been freed from Ashley's shackles until I read the club statement confirming it. Even if they are facts it doesn't mean we're getting sold unfortunately, just means both parties have agreed on a price. IF they have provided proof of funds AND agreed a price, it should be a formality. I just don't believe this to be the case. It never is that simple with us (read, Ashley). Your whole arguement is, "we have MA, therefore good things wont happen." While that is understandable, admirable even, it's going in the face of the said evidence. Of course, you dispute the evidence but it makes it very hard to have a rational conversation with you, as you just say "I dont believe that," or "what about last time." Ultimately, none of us "know" how far along this thing is, and all of us are sceptical to varying degrees. All I will say is, dont trample on peoples hope, because whether it goes through or not, just for a moment i am enjoying the fantasy of having MA gone, and I'm entitled to do that. The remote possibility of this happening, despite all my cynicism, is a large part of what’s kept me going supporting NUFC in recent years. Once more we have committed buyers; the crucial thing as ever is if we have a committed seller. Only time will tell if we do this time, but the fact Ashley has been losing money in some of his other ventures just may be the deciding factor that makes this time different.

Not one of those facts is verifiable. Also, all it actually suggests is that BZG know the price. They haven't paid for the club. "That paperwork" just refers to a bit of paper passed to the league stating the price agreed. Theres no requirement for the sale to happen at all. Anyone could sign that bit of paper. That is if those FACTS are actually facts. If it were any other club I'd say it would happen, but us? No chance. Imma keep tweeting him asking how he knows they're facts. That said that's my only worry, I'm not interested in getting bogged down in semantics and future scenarios where Ashley torpedoes the deal. For me if they've written the agreement, provided proof of funds and details are with the PL as this lad is claiming then it's done. I disagree that none of the facts is verifiable; they all are if you have access to the evidence, which this Sun journalist may well have had through whomever leaked the story to him. If the PL has in its possession a head of terms document in which a price is agreed and which has been signed by Ashley and the other party than that's where we are (and according to the second statement have been for 6 weeks) and if this bloke has seen the document or seen credible evidence of its existence why should he not be allowed to state these are the facts. Because other journalists and fans don't have the access level he does and are bitter/anxious about it? If he has seen the evidence people being cynical about it/him doesn't change the facts, does it? We know his version of events has been validated in two separate statements from the buyer, which adds significant weight to his claims. My worry is not if these claims are true or not (they most probably are), but what progress has or hasn't been made since. We've been here before with Ashley, multiple times, although perhaps not quite this far. I won't be able to believe the club has been freed from Ashley's shackles until I read the club statement confirming it.

I'm 50/50 only because the Bin Zayed Group feel further along in the takeover process than previous takeovers. There is still a very good chance Ashley moves the goalposts again. Aye. The positive view is we have a buyer putting out pretty convincing statements who seem to have reached a stage previous tryers never did. The negative view is it’s still Ashley we’re dealing with, and there’s absolutely no certainty he’ll not play silly buggers until a deal is officially confirmed. This summer will be massive for the club either way.

I’m convinced the interest is real, but I worry that the buyer is getting frustrated about the lack of progress caused by Ashley dragging his heels, and that this is the reason for going public. If it’s true this has been going on for months behind the scenes the Sheikh must be getting slightly edgy looking at the date with the Rafa situation unresolved and the transfer window closing in just over two months time.

An Ashley source stated: “Mike is starting to think that it’s another publicity stunt, which will ultimately end in the club remaining unsold. He now wants those representing the Sheikh to either put up or shut up. We’ve had fake Sheikhs before. He’s hoping this isn’t another one.” Wow...

I’ve argued this before but I believe Rafa holds the key to Ashley selling up. All he has to do is come out and tell Ashley he will not work with a proven liar anymore after his contract ends in a month’s time, but is willing to stick around with new owners to see if their plans for the club match his. If Ashley can’t handle that and fires him or if Rafa leaves when no takeover materialises and Ashley will have to appoint some no mark manager to start a new season that will be 50m shaved of the club’s value there and then, with the prospect of relegation meaning Ashley will have to back his new man or risk losing another 100m or so. Rafa is a major asset which will be worthless in 35 days and he therefore holds the strings. What’s stopping him from using his power for his own good and the good of the club?

Indeed. This has always been the case. Hopefully Ashley is not in the mood for more foolish games or this lot could move focus to some other club like Mansour did before and we'd fall behind yet another club. Here's hoping Ashley needs the money for some other venture of his and actually sells up this time so we can move on. This club and manager doesn't need a fortune to get back to being a regular top half team with the occasional European adventure and some exciting players for us to enjoy. What a step (back) up that would be after more than a decade of neglect.

Interesting. Ashley is scrambling around for money for some reason. Hopefully this will not negatively impact any necessity to sell us.

It’s an entirely fair assessment. We should all get drunk silly celebrating Ashley’s departure, but probably not realistic to expect a PSG-like windfall on top of that. Which is fine. I don’t care about winning the league or even making the CL. A club that tries will suffice.

Is this for real!?

Messi's getting on a bit isn't he..?

The Sun journo broke the news last night that some Sheikh had bought the club for £350m. No one from the club saying anything, Arab journalists saying its done but might be on a wind up. Must.resist.false.hope

I've been living under a rock since yesterday morning. What's happened/is happening? Same old same old, or something more substantial?

Vaughan has spiced things up. If any Pompey player looks like making the difference it's him.

Howay ref, that's a pen

Pompey miss another big chance