Would-be Toon takeover investor lauds Saudi-Qatar agreement

AMANDA Staveley’s husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi has congratulated Saudi Arabia and Qatar for the easing of a feud which could have ramifications for a proposed takeover of Newcastle.

The couple have twice attempted to buy a stake in the Magpies, and last year agreed a deal in principle along with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and the Reuben brothers.

However, the consortium walked away from the deal in the summer due to complications with the Premier League’s Owners’ and Directors’ Test.

United owner Mike Ashley has since engaged the Premier League in a legal dispute, while all parties remain committed to the deal if it’s given the green light.

An agreement designed to deliver ‘solidarity and stability’ was signed by Gulf leaders on Tuesday to bring an end to Saudi Arabia’s trade embargo with Qatar.

TV rights were viewed as a major issue for the breakdown of United’s takeover, and it has been speculated that this major breakthrough could prove a catalyst in the revival of the Magpies deal.

Ghodoussi – who was recently forced to defend himself for including the #NUFC hashtag in his posts – took to social media to applaud the decision which he hopes will improve life in the Middle East.

He posted: “Congratulations to Saudi Arabia and Qatar for restoring diplomatic ties. May this bring continued stability and peace to the region.”

It was a post which inevitably drew an excited response from United fans who hope it could bring an end to Mike Ashley’s tenure on Tyneside.