NUFC takeover insider shocked to discover what PIF chairman has done – originally posted on Sportslens.com
According to The Guardian, a
source with knowledge of the Newcastle United takeover deal said they have been shocked to discover Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s intervention with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince was supposed to be keeping out of the deal to buy the St. James’ Park outfit, given the case the Public Investment Fund was making that it was separate from the Saudi government.
As recently revealed by Sportsmail, the PIF chairman urged the Prime Minister to intervene in his Kingdom’s plans to buy Newcastle after the Premier League refused to give the green light to the £300 million takeover.
PCP Capital Partners owner Amanda Staveley, the Reuben Brothers and the Saudi consortium wanted to buy the Magpies last year and had agreed a deal with owner Mike Ashley.
However, they pulled out after 16 weeks of trying to pass the Owners’ and Directors’ Test.
Ashley is waiting for an arbitration hearing against the Premier League in a bid to have the takeover back on the table and approved.
The case solely focuses on the Saudi state’s control of PIF, and Bin Salman’s intervention with the takeover could deal a blow on Ashley’s chances of winning in court.
It will be interesting to see how things go in the coming weeks, but Arab News claims some people close to the takeover say the arbitration court judging the dispute will reach a decision in the summer.
They also expect it to go in Ashley’s favour and are confident the Saudi-led would-be owners will own the majority of the club before the start of next season.
In other news, Newcastle reportedly want 78-goal hitman on West Ham United radar.