This has been a year in the making, even longer if we retreat to the winter of 2017-18 and Amanda Staveley’s first attempt to buy Newcastle United. While pandemic and economic turmoil does not appear fertile territory for a takeover, the Mike Ashley era at St James’ Park has never been closer to ending and rarely has it felt more appropriate that it should do so. In every respect, it has been a long time coming.



Until now, The Athletic has refrained from written comment on Staveley’s re-emergence as a co-bidder for Newcastle, which was initially reported by the Wall Street Journal in late January. This was not a reflection on the validity of the story, but more a response to the timing. Leaks rarely help and this one certainly didn’t, serving to hoist the drawbridge on discussions and temporarily raising suspicion on both sides.



There is chronic takeover fatigue among Newcastle supporters, understandable given that rumours typically emerge...