Toon deal didn’t add up

WHAT makes no sense about Amanda staveley’s proposed takeover of newcastle is the numbers.

not just the fact that PcP capital Partners, her United Kingdom registered company, has no registered assets or employees, nor that it had no income in the year to March 31, 2017 and debts of £3.6million.

it is the figures around the deal that confuse. Mike Ashley, newcastle’s owner, is believed to want £350m. staveley says she offered £250m, without conditions, and will spend a further £200m on transfers and improved facilities. That is an investment of £450m. so why not meet Ashley’s asking price, with £ 100m left for transfers and facilities, and a new television contract on the way?

A cash injection of £100m, even £50m, would surely keep newcastle safe. it makes no sense that staveley (left) is £100m short of the asking price, while claiming to have £100m excess.

is there scepticism around her bid because she is a woman, her camp asked at the weekend. no. A woman with £350m would be the owner of newcastle right now, and good luck to her.

The issue is that staveley insists she is a woman with £350m — more, in fact — but hasn’t made an unconditional offer near that sum. hence questions.