Senior sources at Newcastle United are refusing to comment on reports this morning that Dubai-based billionaire Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan is close to finalising a deal to buy the club.
A report in The Sun suggests Mike Ashley has agreed to sell Newcastle for £350m to the cousin of Manchester City’s Arab owner Sheikh Mansour.
Multiple reports say there has been interest from Sheikh Khaled in the purchase but there is some way to go for any deal to be agreed.
The closest working associate to Sheik Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan told Sportsmail on Sunday night that a deal is ‘concluded’ between Mike Ashley and Sheik Khaled, an Emirati member of the family who governs Abu Dhabi.
The representatives also insisted that the prospective new owner is very keen to keep Rafa Benitez as manager of the club and that the takeover is expected to be done in time for this summer’s transfer window.
Meanwhile, the news of a change of ownership at Newcastle United seems to be exciting football fans on social media who believe it will put an end to Mike Ashley’s 12 years turbulent reign over the club.
Ashley, who bought a controlling stake in the Premier League club in 2007, has tried to sell Newcastle previously but has never agreed to a deal with any interested parties.
He has had a troubled relationship with the fans for years and has been criticised for not making money available for transfers.
He also previously apologised for renaming the stadium from St James’ Park to the Sports Direct Arena in 2011 for almost a year, before it was restored by new sponsor Wonga.
See some of the fans’ reactions:
If the Newcastle news is true,I will be so thrilled for Newcastle fans.They are the most loyal fans in the world.They do 50,000 average attendance even when relegated. One of the few big cities in the world with ONLY one club.They live & breath that club.They deserve a break.
— Babanla (@biolakazeem) May 27, 2019
Rafa Benitez when he finds out Newcastle are being taken over by the richest Sheikh pic.twitter.com/dY6euyq84W
— agent bobby (@agentbobby_) May 27, 2019
“Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has agreed to sell the club to Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed al Nehayan”
Jose Mourinho: pic.twitter.com/wpcZELcly9
— hiba zinati (@hibazinati) May 27, 2019
The year is 2022. Newcastle have just won their first Premier League title after a Kylian Mbappé hat-trick secured the winning 3 points in a 4-3 victory over Manchester City.
Man United missed promotion back to the Premier League after losing to Sunderland in the #PlayOffFinal.
— BenchWarmers (@BeWarmers) May 27, 2019
