Ketsbaia

The ‘slim possibility’ lines being reported really piss me off. In theory, the deal could be resurrected because it’s a pretty weak reason to, well, not even say no because they didn’t. And both sides still want the deal. But I’m not sure anything will make the PL jump up and suddenly want this done. Besides, I don’t want the hope because there is none. 'Slim possibility' is purely a line to stop people hoying themselves off the Tyne Bridge tonight. Perhaps the club scrape another couple of ASM or Willems-level signings and survive next season, whilst someone else makes an attempt. But I’ve lost all faith in the Premier League and corrupt footballing authorities, who clearly have no integrity. I think I’ll be bitter about this until my very last breath. Fuck them, fuck football.

So the blame is with both Premier League and Ashley. Premier League asked way too many questions. The last one about Saudi involvement was one too far. This went on long enough for exclusivity to end, giving that snake Ashley a chance to get a bigger bid. Enraged by the relentless questioning and Ashley moving the goalposts, PIF/Staveley/Reubens walked away. Just have to pray there's another twist to this, or it's a chess move. But probably not.

So either: (a) PL gave their approval but Ashley agreed a higher price with Mauriss, which PIF wouldn't match (b) PL didn't give their approval but it was because of Saudi involvement, rather than piracy. Is that right?

Lost my rag when I told my girlfriend and she shrugged, saying "I knew it. Remember saying this back in April". You didn't though, did you? It was a guess based on nothing.

Contemplating the same request tbh. Not sure why I'm refreshing pages, it's not like the takeover is happening. Glutton for punishment.

Its as if you have just ignored everything No, I'm trying to find some shred of hope. Anything will do right now. Otherwise I'll lock myself away for a few weeks stewing on how our football club is dead.

Is there any way this Mauriss takeover could be good news?

Fuck all that time wasted on this thread, reading about it, talking about it and putting faith in ITKs. Fuck all that. Fuck football.

I honestly didn't think this would happen. I'm shaking

:love:

Ake and Laporte are both left-sided centre backs, so I'd imagine another is coming in.

Ok, well home-grown

So what's the Ake hype about - being English? EDIT: English-trained

Brighton sign Veltman from Ajax. Only 900k. No idea why he's up for that.

Well I don't get how Ashley can just change his mind - I'd have thought things like price and consent are irreversible and watertight once the test starts.

Well I guess PL not being the problem means it has passed. But this other problem..... ergh.

I imagine Lingard will pick his next club based on that city's Instagram 'bantz'. Surely he's London-bound.

Weston McCanny

The clarification of hierarchy is now widely-reported enough for me to believe, unlike a lot of past negative developments which seem to be one journalist with a Qatari source. So I believe this is the obstacle. Then again, shouldn't this one be easy to solve? As a novice, I'd have thought so.

This. They're negotiating, rather than blocking. It'd be ideal for the Premier League to have another potential powerhouse because money is great. The government likes Saudi Arabia and the Reuben family. But PL knows they'll get grief for passing this, so everything has to be watertight.

It feels like that'd be fairly simple to resolve, right? At least it's not the piracy.

I bet Luke Edwards is off for a wank now.

Of course it has affected mental health. Without a doubt. Can't stop thinking about it and getting pissed off/worried about it.

A Villa without Grealish but with Smith still in charge will easily go down next season

No Salah, Mane, Alexander-Arnold, Mahrez, Willian or Traore for others. Was going to bring in David Silva but decided to stick with Fernandes and get Jesus for Jimenez instead. Only to see the troll Calvert-Lewin benched, obviously