Newcastle Takeover Bid Latest: Interviews Held With Sporting Director Candidates

Talk of a Newcastle United takeover is a staple of most Premier League seasons, and not even coronavirus bringing football to a halt can prevent it cropping up again this year.

​A takeover bid at the club is 'creeping ever closer' (as ever) with interviews ongoing with prospective sporting director candidates 

A potential takeover bid from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), fronted by business woman and Newcastle fan Amanda Staveley and led by Yasir Al-Rumayyan had been ​gathering momentum.

DIC negotiator Amanda Staveley takes her

According to Eurosport in France [via ​Get French Football News], ​Newcastle's existing recruitment team have been furloughed as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, and this is held up as proof that negotiations over a sale have moved forward.

Eurosport also report that that several sporting directors are currently being interviewed, which is supported by the ​Newcastle Chronicle, who have reported that Amanda Staveley and her representatives have begun sounding out individuals over potential roles in her new regime at St James' Park.

Newcastle currently do not have a formal board, and Staveley and her team would be in favour of reorganising the current backroom hierarchy in place at the club, in addition to adding football executives.

On Thursday 2 April, paper work was submitted to the Premier League over a potential takeover from PIF.

However, lawyers from the Premier League are yet to look through the owner's and director's tests, or meet any of the prospective new owners. 

Given that there are multiple individuals involved in Staveley's consortium, this could be a lengthy process.

Newcastle United v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League

Although the news of paper work being submitted and potential candidates for positions being approached sounds promising, it should be noted that a price is yet to be agreed, and no funds have been paid.

Although Newcastle owner ​Mike Ashley's assets have been affected by the coronavirus, with Sports Direct forced to close despite his best efforts, there is to be no slashed price because of the financial uncertainty triggered by the outbreak.


Source : 90min