Newcastle United could be on the verge of a takeover.
Financial expert David Buik has told Sky Sports that he thinks Mike Ashley should be looking to reject Amanda Staveley’s initial offer for Newcastle United.
After more than 10 tumultuous years in charge at St. James’ Park, unpopular owner Ashley is now heading for the exit door having put the club up for sale last month.
Ashley has few fans on Tyneside after a perceived lack of funding, as well as overseeing two relegations to the Championship and making questionable managerial appointments.
Current boss Rafael Benitez is enjoying a solid start to the season, and the Spaniard will be hoping for additional backing in the transfer market should a takeover go through.
Earlier this week – as reported by The Mirror – the PCP Capital Partners, led by Amanda Staveley, offered around £300million to purchase the club.
It remains to be seen whether Staveley can secure the deal, but one financial expert has offered a view that Newcastle fans may not like right now.
David Buik has told Sky Sports that he thinks Staveley and her advisors are ‘trying it on’ with their initial bid, suggesting that Ashley should reject the offer on the table.
Buik added that Ashley should be looking for around £380million rather than £30million, and suggested that Staveley and co need to ‘step up to the plate’ in order to make a statement and buy the Magpies.
“I think Amanda Staveley and her advisors are trying it on because everyone knows the huge differential in terms of finance you get for being in the Premiership,” said Buik. “It is massive.”
“If I was Mike Ashley, it is the greatest possible catchment area and in my opinion it is worth at least £380m. Amanda Staveley doesn’t deal with ‘rank-and-file’ people. She deals with rich people and they aren’t going to spend their money unwisely, but if you really want to make a statement in the Premiership you have to step up to the plate,” he added.
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