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Mike Ashley

Christmas Tree

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Rich

Rich

Posted
Posted

So Barnes, Charnley and Bishop were all at the game but none of them were sat in their seats at all?

 

I could be wrong, but I'm sure that row of seats usually occupied by Fat Mike and the gang were empty throughout.

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HaydnNUFC

HaydnNUFC

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Amanda Staveley has met Newcastle United officials and has opened lines of communication for further talks to take place regarding a potential takeover.

 

Staveley met the man appointed by owner Mike Ashley to find a buyer, Justin Barnes, earlier this week and, following an initial meeting in the St James’ Park boardroom, is keen to hold more discussions in the coming days.

 

The financier, with strong links to billionaires in the Middle East, has also spoken to managing director Lee Charnley, as well as Ashley’s public relations advisor Keith Bishop, as she weighs up whether to launch a serious attempt to buy the club.

 

The talks are at an embryonic stage, but things have progressed since Sunday, when the former girlfriend of Prince Andrew was pictured sitting in the director’s box during Newcastle’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool.

 

Staveley, who was a guest of someone connected to Newcastle rather than Liverpool, as previously reported, is also understood to have met manager Rafa Benítez. At this stage, her interest can be best described as tentative, although Newcastle supporters are already hoping this is the first step towards Ashley's departure.

 

However, although Staveley has made contact with Newcastle’s board, it is likely to be a difficult negotiation Sources close to the deal have stressed she is merely exploring her options at this stage and has an interest in at least two other English clubs.

 

Formal talks have still not taken place, but the fact she has made sure she is able to communicate directly with Barnes is a key development.

 

Whether Ashley can be persuaded to sell is another matter. Although there have been reports suggesting he has lowered his asking price to around £380m, Telegraph Sport understands he is still looking for more than £400m. Given his reputation in the business world, Ashley is likely to hold out for the best possible price, particularly if someone with Staveley’s financial backing enters the bidding.

 

Newcastle have been up for sale since the end of May, but although there has been some interest shown from other interested parties, nobody has made a bid and progress has been slow.

 

It is also thought Staveley’s presence is likely to cause others to take a step back, as they will want to see how serious she is about ending Ashley’s 10-year reign. The 44-year-old from Yorkshire has previously tried to buy Liverpool, but has failed twice, with the most recent attempt launched last summer.

 

Newcastle are also wary about how genuine her interest is at this stage, particularly as her presence at St James’ Park was made public. She is also believed to have attended Newcastle’s 2-1 win over Stoke last month.

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Dave

Dave

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Posted

yeah the more public this kind of thing is the less likely I believe it will happen. If/when Ashley does sell I do think it will just randomly happen with nowt in the press beforehand

 

To be fair one of the journalists said they'd spoken to someone who knows her and they'd said she'd know full well what people would think of her being at the game in the posh seats.

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Wallace

Wallace

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You would think that those at the club charged with trying to find a buyer might have made contact with her before she appeared at the match.

 

Just reinforces the opinion that a bunch of amateurs are running the club.

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