Jimbo 13 Report post Posted September 22, 2008 A NIGERIAN consortium of media moguls and oil barons want to buy Newcastle — and bring back Kevin Keegan as boss. The eight-strong group are willing to pay more than £300million for the club and are eager to get down to talks with Toon owner Mike Ashley. Ashley has been in the Middle East looking for buyers after accepting the supporters want him out. But the Nigerians represent a previously unexplored avenue. The consortium has already lodged a bond of £200m with a respected lawyer so Newcastle can see the colour of their money. Two months ago, they made a flying visit to the UK to watch the Geordies’ game at Manchester United and have been working on a buyout plan ever since. Chris Nathaniel, who organised a high-profile visit by United star Rio Ferdinand to Nigeria in the summer, has been taken on as a consultant and insists the consortium are deadly serious about their proposition. He said: “These people are not messing about. They are genuine, highly-regarded businessmen in Nigeria who want to make a deal happen. “They will bring back Kevin Keegan immediately as manager and there will be £75m made available to buy players. “The interest in the Premier League in Nigeria and the whole of Africa is huge and buying an English club is seen as the next big step for a football-mad country. “We have made contact with people at Newcastle and let our interest be known but our group has not yet spoken to Mike Ashley himself. “The ball is in Ashley’s court. The money is there and if he is determined to sell, these men will be round the table with him as soon as he gives the word. “They realise how important Keegan’s presence is to the fans and they will be delighted to bring him back.” Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OTF 272 Report post Posted September 22, 2008 Probably another rubbish story, but I wouldn't mind us being able to tap directly into the largest talent pool of African soccer! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bizza 50 Report post Posted September 22, 2008 I just hope they don't want our bank details... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OTF 272 Report post Posted September 22, 2008 Yeah apparently to get the £200m bond Ashely needs to send them his passport and bank details. He has it on the good word of Prince Maputu. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Offshore Toon 0 Report post Posted September 23, 2008 The more I think about this, the more it doesn't seem like a bad idea. Once Africa buys a few TVs, they'll be the next big market for football, and with these lot in charge you'd imagine we'd be one of the most popular clubs at least in Western Africa. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Kelly 299 Report post Posted September 23, 2008 Well the £75m transfer kitty obviously looks appealing (as long it's not spread over 10 years) but as others have said the worry is that Nigeria isn't exactly the mecca for good business practice is a worry as is the fact that they are 'trying to come up with the money to buy us'. Ashley has the money no problem and he still couldn't afford to plough much into the team so where would the money come from these guys? Alough I do like that they're saying they're made up of oil barrons as that's clearly where the money is. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asprilla 1 Report post Posted September 23, 2008 Well the £75m transfer kitty obviously looks appealing (as long it's not spread over 10 years) but as others have said the worry is that Nigeria isn't exactly the mecca for good business practice is a worry as is the fact that they are 'trying to come up with the money to buy us'. Ashley has the money no problem and he still couldn't afford to plough much into the team so where would the money come from these guys? Alough I do like that they're saying they're made up of oil barrons as that's clearly where the money is. I doubt that's the reason. When you're a billionaire I'm sure you can get your hands on a few million if you really want to. The Nigeria thing could work very well, although the email scam gags are already wearing thin. Just think how many lazy journos would sling that into their vacuous musings. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Meenzer 2,783 Report post Posted September 23, 2008 The Nigeria thing could work very well, although the email scam gags are already wearing thin. Just think how many lazy journos would sling that into their vacuous musings. I think you mean "thingings", "gaggings" and "journalistings". I can do work Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Kelly 299 Report post Posted September 23, 2008 Well the £75m transfer kitty obviously looks appealing (as long it's not spread over 10 years) but as others have said the worry is that Nigeria isn't exactly the mecca for good business practice is a worry as is the fact that they are 'trying to come up with the money to buy us'. Ashley has the money no problem and he still couldn't afford to plough much into the team so where would the money come from these guys? Alough I do like that they're saying they're made up of oil barrons as that's clearly where the money is. I doubt that's the reason. When you're a billionaire I'm sure you can get your hands on a few million if you really want to. The Nigeria thing could work very well, although the email scam gags are already wearing thin. Just think how many lazy journos would sling that into their vacuous musings. Yeah well I'm sure it was a decision rather than an absolute financial necessity for him not to plough more in but I doubt he has the spare cash to provide a transfer kitty similar to Chelski or Citeh. Even to most very rich people £100m is a hell of a big chunk of their fortune and they are unlikely to want to just piss it away on a football club. If we are to ever compete in the current climate we need someone with more than what Ashley has and it just looks like these Nigerians are scratching around to come up with the purchase price so I can't see how they will have enough to carry on beyond that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barney 0 Report post Posted September 23, 2008 The head football reporter on SSN reckons this is a runner, according to his sources. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Optimistic Nut 0 Report post Posted September 23, 2008 The stories that they want Yakubu had better be b*llocks then, because there's no way Keegan would come back to find a player bought for him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheMoog 0 Report post Posted September 23, 2008 I'm still laughing at the free ring dings Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tom 1,686 Report post Posted September 23, 2008 I can't imagine Keegan coming back ever. I have no idea whether this Nigerian consortium would be any good but I doubt it would make any difference to Keegan, he has been messed about enough. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JawD 8 Report post Posted September 23, 2008 Great, a club bought with blood money and we'll now no doubt see Martins joined up front by Yakubu and Babayaro to come in and solve our LB problem... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sonatine 2,116 Report post Posted September 23, 2008 Don't all these new buyers have to pass a "fit and proper person" test or something? Not sure it did much good with that Thaksin guy at Man City though Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sammynb 245 Report post Posted September 23, 2008 Great, a club bought with blood money and we'll now no doubt see Martins joined up front by Yakubu and Babayaro to come in and solve our LB problem... Fuck why wouldn't we want Yakubu here? At least he's scoring goals! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snake 0 Report post Posted September 23, 2008 Great, a club bought with blood money and we'll now no doubt see Martins joined up front by Yakubu and Babayaro to come in and solve our LB problem... Fuck why wouldn't we want Yakubu here? At least he's scoring goals! He's nee Shola though Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ewerk 4,654 Report post Posted September 23, 2008 Great, a club bought with blood money and we'll now no doubt see Martins joined up front by Yakubu and Babayaro to come in and solve our LB problem... Fuck why wouldn't we want Yakubu here? At least he's scoring goals! He's nee Shola though Oh shit, given Shola's Nigerian roots they could well offer him a 5 year deal to keep him at the club. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sammynb 245 Report post Posted September 23, 2008 Great, a club bought with blood money and we'll now no doubt see Martins joined up front by Yakubu and Babayaro to come in and solve our LB problem... Fuck why wouldn't we want Yakubu here? At least he's scoring goals! He's nee Shola though Oh shit, given Shola's Nigerian roots they could well offer him a 5 year deal to keep him at the club. I thought he had a Geordie girlfriend! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tom 1,686 Report post Posted September 23, 2008 I wish we would get this fucking sorted out. I'm sick to death. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fop 0 Report post Posted September 23, 2008 Yup it needs to be done ASAP, Nigerian businessmen aren't the ideal solution though, not because of the more jokey issues, but because for political environment there. I just don't want to see a rush job that ends up being even worse than the last owner in the long run (as Ashley as become). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tom 1,686 Report post Posted September 23, 2008 I don't want Nigerian businessmen, we will never be out the fucking papers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asprilla 1 Report post Posted September 23, 2008 I can't imagine Keegan coming back ever. I have no idea whether this Nigerian consortium would be any good but I doubt it would make any difference to Keegan, he has been messed about enough. I think he's messed us about as much tbf. His timing was awful. I can understand why he left but that doesn't apply if someone comes in and gives him control. If he turned us down under those circumstances I'd be very disappointed in him and I think many others would too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tom 1,686 Report post Posted September 23, 2008 I can't imagine Keegan coming back ever. I have no idea whether this Nigerian consortium would be any good but I doubt it would make any difference to Keegan, he has been messed about enough. I think he's messed us about as much tbf. His timing was awful. I can understand why he left but that doesn't apply if someone comes in and gives him control. If he turned us down under those circumstances I'd be very disappointed in him and I think many others would too. Keegan was messed about but I agree he also messed us about - all this about understanding the fans and the club and he fucks off. I'm sure towards the end Ashley would have been desperate and they could have worked things out but Keegan was too proud. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ketsbaia 0 Report post Posted September 23, 2008 Great, a club bought with blood money and we'll now no doubt see Martins joined up front by Yakubu and Babayaro to come in and solve our LB problem... Taye Taiwo, clearly. I'm personally all for this takeover if it has legs simply because it'll at least bring an end to this current saga and we can battle against relegation. Again. I can fully understand why some people are sceptical, since Nigeria isn't exactly the home of sound business practice, but there are some very rich people in that country who may or may not be behind said takeover. It also provides us with a headstart on the rest of the competition, barring Man United and the likes, when it comes to breaking the African market. The 2010 WC isn't too far away and once that touches down I expect all of Africa to go completely football mental. Having owners from the continent can only make us more attractive to television and supporters. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
