Luke Edwards has cast doubt over when the potential takeover of Newcastle United could be completed by.
The Lowdown: Claims launched
Mike Ashley has launched two separate claims against the Premier League, including the arbitration case that is set to take place this month, over the failed takeover deal between him and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium.
There is also the Competition Appeals Tribunal (CAT) claim, but the results of the arbitration hearing will likely determine whether the takeover bid can be pushed forward, and at what pace.
The Latest: Edwards claim
Edwards, a football journalist who works for The Daily Telegraph and has been following the latest takeover developments, has claimed that ‘there is no way’ that the potential takeover could be completed before the start of next season or at the close of the summer transfer window.
Earlier reports had suggested the opposite.
This is because if Ashley wins arbitration, then, as per Edwards, ‘all it will do’ is restart the Owners’ and Directors’ Test (ODT), which can be a lengthy process.
The Verdict: Possible but difficult
It is certainly possible that the potential takeover could be completed before the new 2021/22 season starts, although as Edwards suggests, it would be very difficult.
There is not a definitive timescale over how long the arbitration proceedings will take, and even then if Ashley gets a positive result, he will have to go through the ODT all over again.
Full cooperation would be needed with the top flight in order for the process to be sped up, and with the summer transfer window also in the mind at St. James’ Park, the timings would be extremely tight.
In other news, find out the latest Mark Douglas has dropped from those close to the potential takeover here!
