Newcastle United could be getting bought out very soon.
The Chronicle has confirmed that the Bin Zayed Group is discussing the sale of Newcastle United with owner Mike Ashley.
Speculation is rife that Sheikh Khaled will buy the club in a £350 million deal.
If that materialises, Newcastle fans will be in dreamland, for two reasons: 1) the much-maligned Ashley will have gone and 2) Rafael Benitez, for the first time in his three-year reign in the North-East, might have significant funds in which to improve the Magpies.
United, according to The Chronicle, have scouted Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko on quite a few occasions this season, and hijacking Inter Milan’s reported move for the Frenchman would endear Khaled to the St James’s Park faithful immediately.
According to The Sun, Inter Milan will try and sign the former Monaco star – who spent last season on loan at AC Milan – this summer.
But if Benitez was a fan during Ashley’s reign, he should definitely remain interested if Khaled takes over.
The Spaniard is a fantastic man-manager and although Bakayoko’s first season in England didn’t go to plan following a £40 million move [Sky Sports], he remains a major talent.
Khaled is going to need to demonstrate that he is different from his predecessor, and greenlighting a big-money permanent move, ahead of Inter, would speak volumes.
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