Saudi Arabian takeover of Newcastle United hit by new 'delay'
A decision on the proposed Newcastle United takeover could be delayed until next week, according to a report.
A £300million deal, backed bySaudiArabia’sPublicInvestment Fund and the billionaire property investors David and SimonReuben,iswiththePremier League for approval.
The takeover was set to be approved, but the process has been delayed by an objection fromQatar-basedbeINSports.
They objected because of theillegalstreamingofPremier League games in Saudi Arabia, and the Daily Mail claim that a decision may not come until next week. There was also an objectionfromAmnestyInternational.
The report also claims that it's “likely” that the takeover, which was put together by financier Amanda Staveley, is approved by the Premier League, which is also working on a summer restart for footballfollowingitssuspensionin March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, the Athletic have given an update on where they believe the Newcastle takeover stands.
GeorgeCaulkin,whoclaims to have spoken to the buying side,toldtheoutlet’sPodonthe Tyne: “It is a process which is supposedtobeexhaustive,itis supposedtobeseriousanditis supposed to be done properly. Their latest time frame is next week, but this will take as long as it takes.
“They were told it would take four weeks but there is no definitive deadline on this.”
The Premier League are currently working through their owners and directors test re the deal, but the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, Reuben Brothers and PCPCapitalPartnerstakeover, worth around £300million, is stillunderstoodtobeinlinefor thegreenlightfromthegame’s governing body.
*ChampionsLeague-bound Marseille are in no mood to let midfielder Morgan Sanson leave on the cheap, according toreports.NewcastleandWest Ham have long been linked withamovefortheLigue1player, but Marseille are reportedly looking to recoup around £43million for Sanson.
Le 10 Sport claim that despite the coronavirus crisis pushing many clubs into lowering their asking price for players, Marseille will not allow Sanson to leave for a cutprice fee.
Marseilleareunderstoodto have rejected a bid of around £30million for the player from West Ham last summer. Sanson is a former Le Mans, Montpellier and France Under-21 midfielder.