Mike Ashley’s talks with Amanda Staveley drew to an inevitable collapse yesterday – just as we predicted back in November to much disdain from local media.
The Magpies’ owner reportedly said that “attempts to reach a deal have proved to be exhausting, frustrating and a complete waste of time.”
The statement comes following weeks of silence from Ashley, with a “non-disclosure agreement” preventing Staveley from commenting on the matter.
Meanwhile Rafa Benitez will have to come to terms with the reality that funds will not be readily available in this transfer window as the sale fiasco winds up just weeks before deadline day at the end of this month.
It is an eventuality we predicted back in November, when a source close to the club told us that ownership speculation would simply serve to prevent Ashley having to put his hand in his pocket.
The Independent’s Martin Hardy was also bang on the money.
He wrote shortly after Ashley publicly put the club on the market that the part supporters do not really want to hear “remains the possibility that January could still see Benitez having to fight to get hold of somewhere shy of £20 million, with the possibility of trading in Aleksandar Mitrovic (no takers last time) or Dwight Gayle. It may feel more like the summer than a brave new world.
“It is why the Spaniard is keeping his head down and working his socks off on the training ground, for that is the most likely place where any significant improvement or change for Newcastle United lies.”
Perhaps the guys at “The Mag” may want to reconsider their take on our scoop, which they described as “yet another (publication) wanting to have a piece of the Newcastle United circus, getting cheap clicks/attention by spinning a yarn.
“The ‘sources close to the club’ more likely to be reading a few other articles elsewhere without any substance/knowledge of what is, or isn’t happening at Newcastle United.”
Hmmm….
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