Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce has not had any further news on the proposed takeover in the North East as he prepares to face Aston Villa in the Premier League.
The Magpies got off to the perfect start after the top flight resumed by beating Chris Wilder’s European-chasing Sheffield United 3-0 at St. James’ Park thanks to goals from Allan Saint-Maximin, Matt Ritchie and Joelinton after John Egan got himself sent off for a second bookable offence for the Blades.
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After the impressive three points, Bruce seems to be fully concentrated on gaining another three and has thus brushed aside noise of the prospective takeover:
“I’m brutally honest I’m not really interested in it because I can’t influence that. I’ll hear something when probably you guys hear something.
“My job is to remain focused and keep taking the club forward. What I want is what’s best for the club. I have to focus on trying to end the season in good form.
“We are aiming to finish well. That’s all I’m focused on, finishing the season strongly. Now we have the opportunity to say: ‘Can we finish in the top 10?’
“That would be a wonderful achievement.”
Indeed, the Toon have all but secured their safety for another season, sitting 11 points clear of the bottom three with eight games left and they may have ambitions to finish in the top half of the Premier League whilst they still remain in the FA Cup.
There is arguably still a lot to play for for NUFC, but supporters may be more interested to know what exactly is going on with the £300 million deal between Mike Ashley and Amanda Staveley’s Saudi Arabian-led group.
There were slight concerns following the report from the World Trade Organisation (WTO) that ruled that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) were responsible for the pirate satellite TV channel beoutQ, who broadcasted and streamed matches from the English top flight illegally.
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Given the country’s associations with crown prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and his Public Investment Fund (PIF), who are on the buying side of the bid, this raised slight alarm bells, however the report did not mention the Saudi government in terms of being associated with the channel and so the takeover could still be given the green light.
Geordies, will the takeover go through? Comment below!
