Mike Ashley (former owner) (still alive)

[Away Toon]

For what it's worth, my best bet is that they've agreed on the fee for the club as stated in the press release, but everything is now bogged down with extracting the club from the relationship it has with Sports Direct, which I'm sure Ashley is very reluctant to do.

[HaydnNUFC]

Would people take a takeover but with Sports Direct still involved with the club, ie advertising in the stadium and merchandise still tied up in shit?

[Dokko]

Would people take a takeover but with Sports Direct still involved with the club, ie advertising in the stadium and merchandise still tied up in shit?

 

It’s a step closer to recovery.

[ToonArmy1892]

Would people take a takeover but with Sports Direct still involved with the club, ie advertising in the stadium and merchandise still tied up in s***?

 

Yes, not like we have a choice.

[BlueStar]

Is it possible the takeover drags on till past the transfer window and we go into the new season with no manager and no new players ?

 

Anything is possible if you believe.

[TheHoob]

I'd be happy for them to be contractually obliged to mow Ashley's face into the pitch before every game if it meant he'd fuck off.

[Guest godzilla]

Would people take a takeover but with Sports Direct still involved with the club, ie advertising in the stadium and merchandise still tied up in s***?

 

Yes, not like we have a choice.

 

Don't think BZG would go for that as there is a new kit supplier deal coming up and the sponsership one also which would be very lucrative if the right owners are in charge

[Chris_R]

Is it possible the takeover drags on till past the transfer window and we go into the new season with no manager and no new players ?

 

Isn't that exactly what's happened for each of the last 3 transfer windows?

 

I'd say it's not just possible, it's pretty much guaranteed.

 

We tried / Guess who wins again

[AyeDubbleYoo]

It wouldn’t happen anyway.

[Guest chopey]

Is it possible the takeover drags on till past the transfer window and we go into the new season with no manager and no new players ?

 

Isn't that exactly what's happened for each of the last 3 transfer windows?

 

I'd say it's not just possible, it's pretty much guaranteed.

 

We tried / Guess who wins again

 

Could be tricky going into the new season with no Rafa, Josalu, Rondon and Diame

[Guest godzilla]

Is it possible the takeover drags on till past the transfer window and we go into the new season with no manager and no new players ?

 

Isn't that exactly what's happened for each of the last 3 transfer windows?

 

I'd say it's not just possible, it's pretty much guaranteed.

 

We tried / Guess who wins again

 

We bought players in the Summer and January (not enough granted) but it happened, so you're incorrect saying it's guaranteed as it didn't happen the last two for a start

[Dokko]

No takeover and Rafa leaving before the start of the season would probably be the final straw for a lot of people, both in the stands and on here.

 

I'd rather see it all fall through than just Rafa stay at this moment in time. I want him out and to move on, him staying even with Rafa would probably be the worst outcome, just enough to keep the worm wriggling on the hook.

[Guest godzilla]

No takeover and Rafa leaving before the start of the season would probably be the final straw for a lot of people, both in the stands and on here.

 

I'd rather see it all fall through than just Rafa stay at this moment in time. I want him out and to move on, him staying even with Rafa would probably be the worst outcome, just enough to keep the worm wriggling on the hook.

 

Agree

[JH]

No takeover and Rafa leaving before the start of the season would probably be the final straw for a lot of people, both in the stands and on here.

 

I'd rather see it all fall through than just Rafa stay at this moment in time. I want him out and to move on, him staying even with Rafa would probably be the worst outcome, just enough to keep the worm wriggling on the hook.

 

I’ve heard that A LOT in the last 12 years.

[Guest godzilla]

No takeover and Rafa leaving before the start of the season would probably be the final straw for a lot of people, both in the stands and on here.

 

I'd rather see it all fall through than just Rafa stay at this moment in time. I want him out and to move on, him staying even with Rafa would probably be the worst outcome, just enough to keep the worm wriggling on the hook.

 

I’ve heard that A LOT in the last 12 years.

 

The only reason the crowds stayed the last 3 years is due to Rafa, if the club is not sold and Rafa leaves I think there will be a lot not going this time and I think people may be surprised actually how many. As always time will tell

[Shak]

I reckon he could bring back Kinnear as manager and then do a lap of the pitch at half time and full time giving the crowd the finger and there’d still be a decent crowd.

 

Some rich fucker buying us is the only way out, don’t think the fanbase will ever make it hard enough on Ashley to pressure him into leaving.

[Guest godzilla]

I reckon he could bring back Kinnear as manager and then do a lap of the pitch at half time and full time giving the crowd the finger and there’d still be a decent crowd.

 

Some rich f***er buying us is the only way out, don’t think the fanbase will ever make it hard enough on Ashley to pressure him into leaving.

 

Agree

[Chris_R]

Is it possible the takeover drags on till past the transfer window and we go into the new season with no manager and no new players ?

 

Isn't that exactly what's happened for each of the last 3 transfer windows?

 

I'd say it's not just possible, it's pretty much guaranteed.

 

We tried / Guess who wins again

 

We bought players in the Summer and January (not enough granted) but it happened, so you're incorrect saying it's guaranteed as it didn't happen the last two for a start

 

True, of course we bought players. But each of our last 3(?) transfer windows has been ruined (from a fans' perspective, at least!) by takeover rumours. I'm not shouting "conspiracy", but it does seem to happen like clockwork as soon as each window is about to open and then we're paralysed for weeks whilst it resolves itself.

[Guest chopey]

Mark Hughes with a healthy transfer budget spent on young saleable assets is my guess, no cups and finish 17th.

[JH]

I reckon he could bring back Kinnear as manager and then do a lap of the pitch at half time and full time giving the crowd the finger and there’d still be a decent crowd.

 

Some rich fucker buying us is the only way out, don’t think the fanbase will ever make it hard enough on Ashley to pressure him into leaving.

 

Yep.

[Wilson]

I reckon he could bring back Kinnear as manager and then do a lap of the pitch at half time and full time giving the crowd the finger and there’d still be a decent crowd.

 

Some rich fucker buying us is the only way out, don’t think the fanbase will ever make it hard enough on Ashley to pressure him into leaving.

 

Yep.

 

Same.  This is why to me the whole 'Ashley's doing this to deflect from the Rafa situation' conspiracy makes no sense.  He could literally say fuck all for the next 2 month, let Rafa walk, bring in some cunt, sign one or 2 bottom of the barrel players and the ground would still be full next season.  No need for any elaborate master-plan.

[mickthemagpie]

Aye the ground would be full next season, just not in this reality.

[Fugazi]

At least if Ashley stays and Rafa leaves I can stop caring

[Odear]

My take on it so far.

 

Midhat crossed Ashley or one of his people at some point in the last few months in London. Selling the club came up in conversation and they were asked how much to sell.

 

Something like leave it with me while I talk with the boss happened and then they did indeed come back asking to start the process.

 

BZG is a conglomerate meaning it’s made up of lots of diverse businesses and partnerships. It takes a while to get all the pieces on the chess board in terms of finance or members.

 

Ashley not wanting to bow down to Rafas requests and just in case BZG got cold feet, takes a gamble and leaks the story to the sun. Putting BZG in a position where they have to admit the agreement but perhaps were still some way off getting their lot together to complete the purchase.

 

So now we’re stuck in limbo, Ashley has his ready made excuse for why he couldn’t get a deal with Rafa and he’s also in a perfect scenario because he’s selling the club for what he wants for it.

 

The timeline of this doesn’t matter to him. It could drag on for weeks or months. He doesn’t see the club as his problem any more. It matters to us because it’s going to fuck another season before it’s even started.

 

The Sheikh most likely only putting in somewhere between 82 and 175 million to buy. That’s what it says on Monochrome.. he owns minimum 25% but not more than 50%

 

The rest is made up of faceless business owners that make up the rest of the group.

 

What they can actually pool together if really required is anyone’s guess.

 

After the Liverpool bid failed, this not happening would do damage to them over there. It’s a story that’s been in the news constantly. They won’t be backing out.

[ToonArmy1892]

You haven't a clue like the rest of us, man

 

Pure guesswork all that.