8:51am Tuesday 2nd September 2008
By Scott Wilson
NEWCASTLE United were one of three Premier League clubs that the Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG) considered to be viable takeover targets earlier this month.
But after Magpies owner Mike Ashley refused to consider any offers that would have forced him to relinquish more than 50 per cent control of the club, the cash-rich Arab company opted to make a formal offer for Manchester City instead.
As a result, Newcastle have missed out on a multi-million pound investment that could have enabled them to compete with the established Big Four within the space of one or two years.
ADUG, the financial arm of the Abu Dhabi royal family, were officially confirmed as Manchester City’s new owners yesterday morning and, within the space of three hours, the consortium’s front man, Dr Sulaiman Al-Fahim, had launched a £35m bid for Dimitar Berbatov and made similarly eye-catching offers for David Villa, Mario Gomez and Robinho.
Dr Al-Fahim has promised to turn City into “the biggest club in the world”, but a senior source in the Gulf last night r e v e a l e d that his attention had been focused on Newcastle as recently as the middle of last month.
ADUG identified Arsenal, Newcastle and Manchester City as the three Premier League clubs that would be most conducive to a quick sale, but quickly abandoned a pursuit of the former after it was decided that the potential for a significant improvement in the club’s fortunes did not exist.
At that stage, Newcastle became ADUG’s primary target, and it is understood that Ashley was approached through a third party to discuss the possibility of a takeover.
However, with a possible change in ownership being discussed in a number of different areas, Ashley went public to rule out selling a cont r o l l i n g stake in the Magpies.
“Newc a s t l e United could well get several approaches every month about buying the club,” said the Newcastle owner three weeks ago. “They could be serious approaches from serious entities. But my stance is simple.
Am I looking to sell up?
No. Would I like partners in Newcastle United? Of course, that would make sense.”
With ADUG’s powerbrokers adamant they were only interested in a deal that would enable them to gain a controlling stake in a Premier League outfit, Dr Al-Fahim was instructed to turn his attentions away from Newcastle and instead make a formal offer for 90 per cent of Thaksin Shinawatra’s shares in Manchester City.
That offer was accepted yesterday, and City were immediately transformed from Premier League also-rans to major players at English football’s top table.
“We really have deep pockets,” said Dr Al-Fahim.
“Our goal is to make this football club one of the best not just in England, but also in the world. To reach that goal there is no limit.”
The contrast with the financial constraints currently affecting Newcastle is stark, and while the Magpies were completing two deals of their own as last night’s transfer deadline approached, neither was comparable to City’s confirmed £35m offer for Berbatov.
Indeed, it was Newcastle’s willingness to listen to offers for controversial midfielder Joey Barton – Portsmouth made a late approach yesterday, only to balk at the £4m price they were quoted – that provided a more realistic assessment of the financial squeeze that is currently being experienced at St James’ Park.
With James Milner having completed a £12m move to Aston Villa last week, and Emre, Abdoulaye Faye and David Rozehnal also having left Tyneside, Newcastle have received more money than they have spent this summer.
They were, however, confident of completing two deals ahead of last night’s midnight deadline, with Spanish striker Xisco on the verge of a £5.6m move from Deportivo La Coruna and midfielder Ignacio Gonzalez arriving on a season-long loan from Valencia.
Xisco, whose full name is Francisco Jiminez Tejada, was a team-mate of Fabricio Coloccini’s during his time at Deportivo La Coruna.
He made his La Liga debut in 2005, and has been a regular in the Spain Under-21 squad, scoring in last month’s 2-1 win over Russia.
Newcastle officials made a formal offer for his services late on Sunday night, and Deportivo accepted a bid of 7m Euros (£5.6m) that could rise by a further 3m Euros (£2.4m) depending on the striker’s performances in the Premier League.
Xisco flew into Tyneside to undergo a medical yesterday morning, and Newcastle officials were confident of registering his transfer ahead of the midnight deadline.
They were also in the process of confirming the temporary capture of Uruguayan ‘Nacho’ Gonzalez on a 12-month loan from Valencia.
Gonzalez only arrived at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium from Uruguayan club Danubio earlier this summer, but his new employers have agreed to release him to Newcastle for the rest of the campaign.
The 26-year-old spent most of last season on loan at French side Monaco, and as he is currently on international duty with the Uruguayan national team, a Magpies delegation talked terms with him in Spain at the end of last week.
“We have many players who can play in midfield, and this is an excellent solution from both sides,” said Valencia vice-president Fernando Gomez.
Meanwhile, Guinea international Kamil Zayatte signed a season-long loan with Hull City yesterday, having failed to earn a contract at St James’ despite training with Newcastle on Friday.
■ Newcastle’s Carling Cup third-round tie with Tottenham will take place on Wednesday, September 24.
The St James Park clash will be televised live on Sky Sports.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/trade_directory/