Get the latest NUFC transfer and takeover news straight to your inbox for FREE by signing up to our newsletter Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Pictures of Sports Direct signs being taken down at St James’ Park prompted much debate about the status of the Bin Zayed Group takeover talks this week – but the firm’s sizeable presence at Newcastle United would not necessarily disappear instantly if new owners did take over.

The signs were being taken down and cleaned as part of “routine stadium maintenance” according to Newcastle, despite the significance that many fans read into it.

And the fact is the Sports Direct signage – which gives Mike Ashley’s company huge profile across the world thanks to Premier League global TV coverage – is one of the areas still to be negotiated in any takeover, with the possibility they could stay up after the owner leaves.

Indeed sources close to the sale process indicated that depending on the structure of the offer received, the Ashley camp may make put keeping the boards up one of the conditions of sale.

It’s understood that when Amanda Staveley believed she had struck a deal for the club, one of the conditions was that the boards stayed up at St James’ Park for a few months afterwards. A senior source at United said the advertising boards were unlikely to be a major factor in any sale but, like a few other negotiables, they would be up for discussion.

Bin Zayed have a Head of Terms agreement with Newcastle but the more detailed Sales Purchase Agreement, which would be signed just before shares are transferred, eludes them. Issues that would need sorting would be things like the HMRC liabilities, any possible relegation clauses (Ashley has previously been resistent to these) and the exact terms by which payment is received.

One thing that can be cleared up is that the price United have agreed with the Bin Zayed Group according to the Head of Terms is inclusive of the club’s debt to Ashley.

There remains mixed messages about whether the group have shown proof of funds but there's been much less noise from Dubai in terms of off-the-record briefings this week. Indeed there has been little major progress this week but the holiday in Dubai meant that was always likely to be the case. (MD)

*****

Newcastle United managing director Lee Charnley represented the Magpies at the Premier League's annual general meeting (AGM) this week, but he was non-committal on the ownership situation at St James' Park.

It is understood that some of his fellow top-flight counterparts were keen to find out what exactly is happening with regards to a potential takeover, but Charnley is believed to have kept his own counsel - just as the club have done ever since the takeover saga reignited almost a fortnight ago.

The Bin Zayed Group remain confident in private that they are making progress in their bid to buy Newcastle, though at least two other groups are also understood to have held discussions with Mike Ashley lawyers over the past month-and-a-half.

One thing that was clarified behind the scenes at the AGM was that the Premier League are still yet to formally begin the owners' and directors' test - incorrectly referred to as the 'fit-and-proper-persons test' by the Bin Zayed Group in one of their statements last week - though a 'heads of terms' letter signed by Ashley and Sheikh Khaled has been received by the top flight's governing body. (CW)

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

**********

With Joselu's exit to Alaves seemingly imminent, and Salomon Rondon's loan from West Bromwich Albion having expired, Dwight Gayle will soon find himself as the only out-and-out striker currently on Newcastle's books.

The 28-year-old - who was afforded a pay-rise in order to move to West Brom last summer in a bespoke loan swap for Rondon - still has two years remaining on his Magpies deal, but even his future is in doubt.

Rafa Benitez wants a target-man-style forward, as opposed to a striker who runs in behind defences, and so if the Spaniard stays then he would look to offload Gayle this summer.

While Joselu's exit was expected, and would be welcome early in the window, it merely highlights the huge work Newcastle need to do in the transfer market this summer.

Even if Newcastle do agree to meet Rondon's £16.5million release clause, and hold off rival interest from Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United in order to sign the Venezuelan, at least one additional centre-forward is needed.

Club Brugge's Wesley Moraes and Hoffenheim's Joelinton are two strikers that Newcastle have watched - but, with no final decisions on any incoming or outgoing transfers to be made until the managerial situation is resolved, the Magpies risk falling behind their rivals in pursuit of their offensive targets. (CW)

**********

The confusion which abounds on Tyneside at the moment was typified by the confirmation of the Magpies' retained list in midweek.

Although Mo Diame was not named on it, given that the 31-year-old's contract is due to expire on June 30, it is understood that there remains a possibility the midfielder will still be on Tyneside next season.

Benitez has always been keen to keep the player he signed from Hull City back in 2016, but Newcastle have so far been reluctant to acquiesce to Diame's demands of a minimum two-year extension, merely offering him a 12-month deal so far.

If Benitez does belatedly sign an extension of his own, then Diame could well follow - but, equally, neither may be back at Benton come the start of pre-season training. It is an exasperating situation for Newcastle to be in come June 8. (CW)