United deal needs putting to bed ‘one way or another’
BRUCE REITERATES CALL FOR CLARITY AND WANTS DEAL ‘PUT TO BED ONE WAY OR ANOTHER’ CEO MASTERS AND LEAGUE BOSSES MUST BE DECISIVE OR TOON TRANSFER PLAN COULD SOON HIT PROBLEMS
STEVE Bruce’s appeal for ‘a bit of clarity’ was echoed by Newcastle United supporters following the Magpies’ 2-0 defeat against Man City on Sunday evening.
While lockdown may be easing, the Magpies takeover saga shows no sign of letting up as the Premier League’s owners’ and directors’ test continues to rumble on.
There was no formal guidance on how long the process would take but the would-be owners, Amanda Staveley, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and the Reuben Brothers, could never have imagined it taking this long.
The calls for a resolution may grow louder, but there is a reason why the Premier League have taken their time with this huge decision. Accept it and they risk upsetting one of their main broadcasters, beIN Sports, at a time when they need them most; reject it and there could just escalate things furthwe.
It has not proved straightforward. The Premier League have previously written to the US Government to ask them to keep Saudi Arabia on the priority watch list because they believed the country ‘remained a centre for piracy.’
The governing body now have to establish, 100%, that Saudi Arabia’s history with piracy cannot be linked to the would-be owners or directors.
That has left Newcastle in a state of limbo, a state they surely cannot afford to still be in when the season eventually wraps up on July 26.
The Magpies have long been planning for this transfer window seen as a chance for Bruce to really put his stamp on the team after the chaos of last summer.
The aim was to secure players in the mould of Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron, quality players who could make a real difference and improve his squad.
Coupled with those stabilisers Newcastle have tied down – experienced heads like Martin Dubravka, Jonjo Shelvey, Matt Ritchie, Federico Fernandez, Javier Manquillo and Andy Carroll have all had their contracts extended – that was sensible.
It is not yet clear what impact coronavirus will have on the club’s finances but you only have to look at
the FA’s predicament to see the devastating impact it has had. Yesterday, the FA announced 82 redundancies and confirmed 42 vacancies will not be filled because of the financial impact of Covid-19.
It is perhaps not a surprise Newcastle’s first signing of the summer is goalkeeper Mark Gillespie on a free transfer. But who will follow?
Joelinton, Saint-Maximin and Jetro Willems were all aware of the Magpies’ interest long before they
The fate of Newcastle United’s £300m takeover is in the hands of Richard Masters (pictured) and the Premier League board. Until they decide, the Magpies are stuck
arrived last summer and it is a similar story with the club’s current targets – but they are not necessarily going to wait forever.
Before we know it, this season will be over and while it may not be business as usual in the transfer market, Newcastle won’t have long before starting a new campaign and they will need quality reinforcements.
More than anything, players, staff and fans will need a sense of direction. Everyone needs an answer.